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AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE 

OP 

THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



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Coi.ONKI, IIOOSKVKI.T AT SaX JvAX HiLL 



AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE 



OF 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



BY 



EDWARD STRATEMEYER 

AUTHOR OF "AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF WILLLAM MCKINLEY," 

"with WASHINGTON IN THE WEST," "OLD GLORY 

SERIES," "PAN-AMERICAN SERIES," "SHIP 

AND SHORE SERIES," ETC. 



ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS AND WITH 
FRONTISPIECE BY CHARLES COREL AND 




BOSTON 

LEE AND SHEPARD 

1904 



LIBRftinr of ooNflRF.ss 
TVrt) OoBles !?»rrtved 
JUL 30 1904 

/» Cooyrlrtt Entry 

CLASi tt.XXo. No. 






Published, August, 1904. 



Copyright, 1904, by Lee and Shepabd. 



All Rights Reserved, 



American Boys' Life of Theodore Roosevelt. 



X' 



Norixjooli 5««« 

J. S. Gushing & Co. — ISorwlck & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



PREFACE 

The life of Theodore Roosevelt is one well 
worth studying by any American boy who 
wishes to make something of himself and mount 
high on the ladder of success. 

The twenty-sixth President of our country 
is a fine type of the true American of to-day, 
full of vim and vigor, quick to comprehend, 
and equally quick to act, not afraid to defend 
his opinions against all comers when satisfied 
that he is in the right, independent, and yet 
not lacking in fine social qualities, physically 
and morally courageous, and with a faith in 
himself and his God that is bound to make 
for good so long as he clings to it. 

Theodore Roosevelt comes from countless 
generations of fighting stock, both in this 
country and abroad. And yet as a youth the 
future hero of San Juan Hill was a delicate lad, 
and many fears were entertained that he might 
not live to manhood. But life in the open air, 
with judicious athletic exercise, accomplished 
wonders, and he became strong and hardy to 
an astonishing degree. 



VI PREFACE 

The boyhood days of the future President 
were spent in New York City and at the fam- 
ily's country home, Oyster Bay, Long Island. 
From there he went to Harvard College, from 
which he graduated with high honors. Still 
somewhat delicate in health, he travelled in 
Europe, studied for a short time at Dresden, 
and took to climbing the Alps and other noted 
mountains. 

His mind had gravitated toward literature, 
and he was writing a naval history of the War 
of 1812 when something prompted him to take 
up politics, and almost before he knew it he 
was elected a New York State assemblyman. 
He served in this capacity for three terms, and 
many are the stories told of how he fought 
against corruption first, last, and all the time. 

The death of his first wife and of his beloved 
mother were at this time a great blow to him, 
and leaving his one little daughter with rela- 
tives, he struck out for the great West, where, 
in the Bad Lands, so called, he located as 
ranchman and hunter, filling in his spare hours 
by studying and by writing on various out- 
door subjects, works which have become de- 
cidedly popular, and which show well his gifts 
as an author and as an observer of nature. 

While still in great part a successful ranch- 
man, he ran for mayor of New York and was 
defeated. He now devoted himself with in- 



PREFACE vii 

creased energy to his literary labors until, soon 
after, he was appointed by President Harrison 
a member of the Civil Service Commission. 
He served on this commission with marked 
ability for six years, when he resigned to be- 
come police commissioner of New York City. 

Theodore Roosevelt's work as a police com- 
missioner will not be readily forgotten. The 
whole tone of the service was at once raised, 
and for the first time in many years the me- 
tropolis had "dry" Sundays, when every saloon 
in the city was tightly closed. This strict 
compliance with the law made him some ene- 
mies, but to these he paid no heed, for he was 
doing only his duty. 

When William McKinley was nominated for 
the Presidency the first time, Theodore Roose- 
velt was one of his most enthusiastic supporters. 
Upon the election of McKinley, John D. Long 
was appointed Secretary of the Navy and Theo- 
dore Roosevelt became the First Assistant Sec- 
retary. Ever since writing his naval history 
the newly appointed assistant had made a close 
study of naval matters, and now he applied 
himself with vigor to the duties of his office ; 
and it was primarily through his efforts that 
when the war with Spain came, our warships 
and our coast defences were in much better 
condition than they had been at any time 
previous in our history. 



Vlll PREFACE 

With the outbreak of the war, Theodore 
Roosevelt resigned. "My duty here is done," 
he said. "My place is in the field." And with- 
out loss of time he and his intimate friend, Dr. 
Leonard Wood, began the organization of that 
body of troops which was officially designated 
as the First United States Volunteer Cavalry, 
but which speedily became known everywhere 
as the Rough Riders, — a body as unique as 
the world has ever seen, being made up of men 
from all over the Union, but principally from 
four Territories, and including hunters, cow- 
boys, soldiers of fortune, football and baseball 
champions, college graduates, ex-policemen, with 
American, Irish, Dutch, German, Mexican, and 
Indian blood in their veins, — truly a remarkable 
collection, but every man and officer strong and 
hardy, full of courage, a good horseman, and a 
fine shot. 

From the very start, the Rough Riders were 
anxious to get into the fight, and the oppor- 
tunity was not long in coming. From Flor- 
ida the command was transported to Daiquiri, 
on the southern coast of Cuba, and then began 
the advance upon the city of Santiago, which 
brought on the engagement at La Guasima, 
followed by the thrilling battle of San Juan 
Hill, in which the Rough Riders distinguished 
themselves in a manner that will never be for- 
gotten. In the very thickest of this fight was 



PREFACE ix 

Colonel Roosevelt, urging his men forward to 
victory, regardless of the shot and shell falling 
upon all sides. A hero truly, and such heroes 
are not forgotten. 

Upon the close of the war Theodore Roose- 
velt thought to retire to private life, but this 
was not to be. Arriving at New York, he 
was hailed with delight by thousands, and at 
the next election was made governor of the 
Empire State. As governor he made friends 
in both of the leading political parties by his 
straightforwardness and his sterling honesty. 
Men might differ with him politically, but they 
could never accuse him of doing that which he 
himself did not firmly believe was right. 

His term as governor had not yet expired 
when President McKinley was nominated for 
a second term. Again the people at large 
clamored for Roosevelt, and against his ear- 
nest protestations he was forced to accept the 
nomination for the Vice-Presidency. He was 
elected, and at the proper time took his seat 
as presiding officer of the Senate. 

It was at this time a blow fell upon our 
nation from which we have scarcely yet recov- 
ered. President McKinley was struck down 
by the cowardly hand of an assassin. The 
Vice-President was at this time off on one of 
his favorite outings, but with all possible speed 
he came back and was sworn in as President. 



X PREFACE 

It was a great responsibility, and many feared 
that great changes in our government might 
result. But the fears proved groundless. 
Young as he was, — and he is the youngest 
of all of our Presidents, — he took upon him- 
self the duty of carrying out the intentions 
of his predecessor, and proving to the world 
once again that, even though a President die, 
"the government at Washington still lives." 

There is another side to the character of our 
President which must not be overlooked. He 
is of strong religious convictions and a member 
of the Dutch Reformed Church. It is seldom 
that he is given to preaching, but when he 
does his words have a sincerity that proves 
much for the foundation of his character. He 
stands for what is honest and upright in politi- 
cal and private life, and although, being but 
human, he may make mistakes, he remains a 
Chief Magistrate well deserving the highest 
honors our nation can bestow. 

EDWARD STRATEMEYER. 

May 2, 1904. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I 



PAGE 



Birthplace and Ancestry of Theodore Roosevelt — 
His Father's Philanthropy — City and Country 
Home — Days at School — Religious Training . 1 

CHAPTER n 

Nicknamed Teddy — Goes to Harvard College — 
Member of Many Clubs — Death of Mr. Roose- 
velt — Anecdotes of College Life ... 11 

CHAPTER m 

Marries Miss Alice Lee — Travels in Europe — Bold 
Mountain Climbing — Elected to the Assembly 

— Personal Encounter with the Enemy . . 20 

CHAPTER IV 

Theodore Roosevelt and Governor Cleveland — 
Good Work as an Assemblyman — Some Meas- 
ures pushed through — Birth of Alice Roosevelt 

— Death of Mr. Roosevelt's Mother ... 30 

CHAPTER V 

Theodore Roosevelt as a Ranchman and Hunter in 
the Bad Lands — Bringing down his First Buf- 
falo — Rattlesnakes and a Wild Goose . . 39 



Xll CONTENTS 



CHAPTER YJ 

PACE 

Grouse and Other Small Game — The Scotchman 
and the Skunk — Caugiit in a Hailstorm on the 
Prairie — Bringing down Black-tail Deer . . 49 

CHAPTER Vn 

Runs for Mayor of New York City — IVIarriage to 
Edith Kermit Carew — Hunting in the Bighorn 
Mountains — A Wild Chase after Three Elk . 63 

CHAPTER VHI 

Bringing down a Grizzly Bear — Back to New York 

— Appointed a Civil Service Commissioner — 
The Work of the Commission .... 74 

CHAPTER IX 

A Trip to the Shoshone Mountains — Caught in a 
Driving Snowstorm — ^Back to Work — Resig- 
nation as Civil Service Commissioner . . 85 

CHAPTER X 

Appointed Police Commissioner of New York City 

— Corruptness of the Department — Strenuous 
Endeavors to make INIatters Better — A "Dry" 
Sunday — Enforcing the Tenement House Law 

and Other Measures 94 

CHAPTER XI 

Appointed First Assistant Secretary of the Navy — 
The Condition of Affairs in Cuba — Preparing 
for War — Theodore Roosevelt's Resolve . . 104 



CONTENTS xm 



CHAPTER XII 



PAGE 



Destruction of the 3faine — Dewey's Victory — 
Theodore Roosevelt becomes a Soldier — Organ- 
izing the Rough Riders — Various Men in the 
Command 112 

CHAPTER XIII 

In Camp at Tampa — To Port Tampa in Coal Cars 

— Theodore Roosevelt's Quick Move to obtain 
a Transport — The Wait in the Harbor — Off 

for Cuba at Last 122 

CHAPTER XIV 

Life on the Transport — The Landing at Daiquiri 

— The March to Siboney — The Trail through 

the Jungle — The Skirmish at La Guasima • 132 

CHAPTER XV 

Along the Jungle Trail — Fording the River — 
Opening of the Battle of San Juan HiU — 
Bravery of the Rough Riders — Personal Expe- 
riences of Theodore Roosevelt during the Battle 142 

CHAPTER XVI 

Results of the Fight — Life in the Trenches — The 
Spanish Fleet in Santiago Harbor — Another 
Great Naval Victory — The Rough Riders and 
the Spanish Guerillas 154 

CHAPTER XVn 

Devotion of the Rough Riders to Theodore Roose- 
velt — His Kindness to his Men — Last of the 
Fighting — The Truce and Treaty of Peace . 163 



XIV CONTENTS 



CHAPTER XVIir 

PAGE 

Last Days iu Cuba — The Departure for Home — 
Arrival at JMontauk — Caring for the Sick and 
Wounded — Presentation to Theodore Roosevelt 
by his Men — Mustering out of the Rough 
Riders 171 

CHAPTER XIX 

Nominated for Governor of New York — A Rough 
Rider Way of Cami^aigning — Elected Governor 

— Important Work at Albany — The Home- 
stead at Oyster Bay — Chopping down a Tree 

for Exercise 183 

CHAPTER XX 

Great Reception to Admiral Dewey — Governor 
Roosevelt's Increased Popularity — Last Annual 
Message as Governor — Visit to Chicago — Re- 
markable Speech on the Strenuous Life . . 193 

CHAPTER XXI 

The Convention at Philadelphia — Theodore Roose- 
velt seconds the Nomination of William McKin- 
ley — Becomes Candidate for the Vice-Presidency 

— Remarkable Tours through Many States . 203 

CHAPTER XXII 

Elected Vice-President of the United States — Pre- 
sides over the Senate — Tax upon Theodore 
Roosevelt's Strength — Starts on Another Grand 
Hunting Tour 214 



# 



CONTENTS XV 



CHAPTER XXIII 



PAGE 



The Roosevelt Family in the Adirondacks — The 
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo — Shooting 
of President McKinley — The Vice-President's 
Visit — Death of the President . . . .223 



CHAPTER XXIV 

Theodore Roosevelt's Tramp np Mount Marcy — 
A Message of Importance — Wild Midnight 
Ride through the Mountains — On the Special 
Trains from North Creek to Buffalo . . .233 



CHAPTER XXV 

Takes the Oath as President — The New Chief 
Magistrate at the Funeral of President McKin- 
ley — At the White House — How the First 
Real Working Day was Spent .... 241 



CHAPTER XXVI 

Continuing the Work begun by President McKinley 
— The Panama Canal Agitation — Visit of 
Prince Henry of Prussia — The President at the 
Charleston Exposition 251 

CHAPTER XXVII 

Destruction at St. Pierre — American Aid — The 
Great Coal Strike — President Roosevelt ends 
the Difficulty — Tour through New England — 
The Trolley Accident in the Berkshires — A 
Providential Escape from Death , . . 260 



XVI CONTENTS 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

PAGE 

New Offices at the White House — Sends a Wireless 
Message to King Edward of England — End 
of the Trouble in Venezuela — The Canadian 
Boundary Dispute — Beginning of a Trip to the 
West — In Yellowstone Park . . . .269 

CHAPTER XXIX 

Dedication of the Fair Buildings at St. Louis — 
Continuation of the Trip to San Francisco — 
Up in the Far Northwest — Back in Washington 

— The Post-office Scandals — The New Republic 
of Panama — A Canal at Last — Proclamation 
regarding the War between Japan and Russia 

— Opening of the Great Fair .... 277 

CHAPTER XXX 

Personal Characteristics of Theodore Roosevelt — 
The President's Family — Life at the White 
House — Our Country and its Future . . 289 



APPENDIX 

A. Brief Extracts from Famous Addresses deliv- 

ered by Theodore Roosevelt . . . 297 

B. List of Theodore Roosevelt's AVritings . . 300 

C. Chronology of the l^ife of Theodore Roosevelt 

from 1858 to 1904 302 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Colonel Roosevelt at San Juan Hill Frontispiece 

FACING PAGB 

Theodore Roosevelt's Birthplace ... 2 
House in which Theodore Roosevelt roomed 

WHILE AT Harvard 14 

Theodore Roosevelt at Graduation, 1880 . 20- 

Miss Alice Lee Roosevelt 36 

Edith Kermit Roosevelt 66 

Theodore Roosevelt as a Rough Rider . 118 

Colonel Roosevelt at Montauk Point . . 176 

The Roosevelt Homestead at Oyster Bay . 192 

Theodore Roosevelt 202 

President McKinley and Vice-President 

Roosevelt 216 

President Roosevelt at his Desk . . . 252 
The White House, showing New Offices . 270 
President Roosevelt and Cabinet, 1903 . 276 
President Roosevelt speaking at the Unveil- 
ing OF the Statue of General Sherman 284 
President Roosevelt and his Family . . 292 
xvii 



AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 
THEODORE ROOSEVELT 



o>Kc 



CHAPTER I 

Birthplace and Ancestry of Theodore Roosevelt 
— His Father's Philanthropy — City and Coun- 
try Home — Days at School — Religious Train- 
ing 

'' Our country calls not for the life of 
ease, but for the life of strenuous endeavor. 
The twentieth century looms before us big 
with the fate of many nations. If we 
stand idly by, if we seek merely swollen, 
slothful ease and ignoble peace, if we shrink 
from the hard contests where men must 
win at hazard of their lives and at the risk 
of all they hold dear, then the bolder and 
stronger peojDles will pass us by and will 
win for themselves the domination of the 
world. Let us therefore boldly face the 
life of strife, resolute to do our duty well 



2 iMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 

and manfully ; resolute to npliold right- 
eousness by deed and by word ; resolute to 
be both honest and brave, to serve high 
ideals, yet to use practical methods. Above 
all, let us not shrink from strife, moral 
or physical, within or without the nation, 
provided that we are certain that the strife 
is justified ; for it is only through strife, 
through hard and dangerous endeavor, that 
we shall ultimately win the goal of true 
national greatness." 

These words, taken from President Roose- 
velt's remarkable speech on " The Strenuous 
Life," show well the character of the man, 
his lofty ideals, his sterling courage, his 
absolute honestj^, and unwavering patriot- 
ism. He is a typical American in the best 
sense of the word, and his life is worthy of 
careful study. From it American boys of 
to-day, and in generations to come, may gain 
lessons that will do them much good. 

Theodore Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth 
President of our country, was born in New 
York City, October 27, 1858. The place 
of his birth was the old family mansion at 
28 East Twentieth Street, in a neighbor- 
hood which, at that time, was the abode of 




Theodore Roosevelt's Birthplace. 28 E. SOth Street, 
New York City. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 3 

wealth and culture. The building is one 
of a row, of a type to be seen in hundreds 
of other places, of brick and stone, four 
stories and a basement high, the upper floor 
being an attic. A heavy railing runs from 
in front of the basement up the broad front 
steps to the doorway. Inside, the rooms 
are large and comfortably arranged, and 
there was, in those days, quite a nice garden 
in the rear. 

It can truthfully be said that Theodore 
Roosevelt comes from a race of soldiers and 
statesmen, and that Dutch, Scotch, French, 
and Irish blood flows in his veins. This 
being so, it is no wonder that, when the 
Spanish-American War broke out, he closed 
his desk as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 
saying, " My duty here is done ; my place 
is in the field," and went forth to win glory 
on the battle-field of San Juan Hill. 

Five generations of Roosevelts lived in 
or near New York previous to the birth of 
Theodore Roosevelt, the father of the Presi- 
dent, in 1831. Nearh^ all were well-to-do, 
and many served the city and the state as 
aldermen and members of the legislature. 
During the Revolution they followed under 



4 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

Washington's banner, and their purses were 
wide open to further the cause of inde- 
pendence. 

Theodore Roosevelt the elder was a mer- 
chant and banker; a man broad in his views 
and filled with the spirit of genuine philan- 
thropy. He founded one of the hospitals of 
the city and was at one time chairman of 
the State Board of Charities. A story is 
told of him which is probably true. One 
day Charles Loring Brace came to him for 
financial assistance in establishing homes 
for the little waifs of the city. 

" I will see what I can do," said Mr. 
Roosevelt. " But you know that just at 
present I am busy with other charitable 
works." 

"I know that," said Mr. Brace. "But 
what I ask for is very much needed. The 
waifs and poor, homeless newsboys have no 
shelter." 

The next day, v/hen returning from the 
establishment in which he was a partner, 
Mr. Roosevelt came upon a newsboy sitting 
on a doorstep, crying bitterly. 

"What is the matter, my little man?" 
he asked. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 5 

^' I lost me money ; it dropped down into 
de sewer hole ! " sobbed the ragged urchin. 
" Every cent of it is gone." 

Mr. Roosevelt questioned the lad and 
found out that the boy had no home and 
that his only relative w^as a longshoreman 
who was hardly ever sober. He gave the 
lad some money to replace the amount lost, 
and the next day sent word to Mr. Brace 
that he would do all he possibly could 
toward establishing the waifs' shelters that 
were so much needed. The Newsboys' 
Lodging House of New York City is one 
of the results of Mr. Roosevelt's practical 
charities. He also did much to give crim- 
inals a helping hand when they came from 
prison, stating that that was the one time 
in their lives when they most needed help, 
for fear they might slip back into their 
previous bad habits. 

In 1853 Theodore Roosevelt the elder 
married Miss Martha Bullock, of Roswell, 
Cobb County, Georgia. Miss Bullock was 
the daughter of Major James S. Bullock 
and a direct descendant of Archibald Bul- 
lock, the first governor of Georgia. It will 
thus be seen that the future President had 



6 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

both Northern and Southern blood in his 
make-up, and it may be added here that 
during the terrible Civil War his relatives 
were to be found both in the Union and the 
Confederate ranks. Mrs. Roosevelt was a 
strong Southern sympathizer, and when a 
certain gathering, during the Civil War, 
was in progress at the Roosevelt city home, 
she insisted upon displaying a Confederate 
flag at one of the windows. 

" I am afraid it will make trouble," said 
Mr. Roosevelt ; and he was right. Soon a 
mob began to gather in the street, clamor- 
ing that the flag be taken down. 

"I shall not take it down," said Mrs. 
Roosevelt, bravely. " The room is mine, 
and the flag is mine. I love it, and nobody 
shall touch it. Explain to the crowd that 
I am a Southern woman and that I love 
my country." 

There being no help for it, Mr. Roosevelt 
went to the front door and explained mat- 
ters as best he could. A few in the crowd 
grumbled, but when Mrs. Roosevelt came to 
the window and looked down on the gather- 
ing, one after another the men went away, 
and she and her flag remained unmolested. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 7 

Theodore Roosevelt, the future President, 
was one of a family of four. He had a 
brother Elliott and two sisters. His brother 
was several years younger than himself, but 
much more robust, and would probably have 
lived many years and have distinguished 
himself, had he not met death in a railroad 
accident while still a young man. 

In the years when Theodore Koosevelt 
was a boy, New York City was not what it 
is to-day. The neighborhood in which he 
lived was, as I have already mentioned, a 
fashionable one, and the same may be said 
of many other spots near to Union Square, 
where tall business blocks were yet unknown. 
The boys and girls loved to play in the little 
park and on the avenue, and here it was 
that the rather delicate schoolboy grew to 
know Edith Carew, who lived in Fourteenth 
Street and who was his school companion. 
Little did they dream in those days, as they 
played together, that one day he would be 
President and she his loving wife, the mis- 
tress of the White House. 

Mr. Roosevelt was a firm believer in pub- 
lic institutions, and he did not hesitate to 
send his children to the public schools, espe- 



8 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

cially liis boys, that they might come in 
direct personal contact with the great out- 
side world. So to a near-by institution of 
learning Theodore and Elliott trudged day 
after day, with their school-books under their 
arms, just as thousands of other school- 
boys are doing to-day. But in those days 
tliere were few experiments being tried in 
the schools, and manual training and the 
like were unknown. The boys w^ere well 
grounded in reading, writing, and arith- 
metic, as well as spelling, history, and 
geography, and there was great excitement 
when a " spelling-bee " was in progress, to 
see who could spell the rest of the class or 
the gathering down. 

It is said upon good authority that Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was a model scholar from 
the start. He loved to read Cooper's 
" Leatherstocking Tales," and works of 
travel, and j^referred books above anything 
else. But when he found that constant 
studying was ruining his constitution, he 
determined to build himself up physically 
as well as mentally. 

In the summer time the family often 
went to the old Roosevelt " out of town " 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 9 

mansion on Long Island. This was called 
" Tranquillity," a fine large place near 
Oyster Bay, set in a grove of beautiful trees. 
The journey to " Tranquillity " was in those 
days a tedious one, but the Roosevelt chil- 
dren did not mind it, and once at the old 
place they were certain of a good time so 
long as their vacation lasted. Here it was 
that Theodore Roosevelt learned to ride on 
horseback and how to handle a gun. And 
here, too, the boys would go boating, fishing, 
and bathing, to their hearts' content. 

Mr. Theodore Roosevelt the elder was a 
member of the Dutch Reformed Church, 
and the religious teaching of his children 
was not neglected. At an early age the 
future President became a member of that 
denomination and has remained a member 
ever since. The church was on the East 
Side, and had high-backed pews, and here 
were delivered sermons that were as long 
as they were full of strength and wisdom. 
That these sermons had their full effect upon 
the futiu-e President is shown by his addresses 
delivered before the Youno; Men's Christian 
Association of New York City and a church 
community of the West, years later. In ad- 



10 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

dressing the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion Mr. Roosevelt, who was then governor 
of the State, said : — 

" The vice of envy is not only dangerous, 
but also a mean vice, for it is always a 
confession of inferiority. It may provoke 
conduct which will be fruitful of wrong to 
others ; and it must cause misery to the 
man who feels it. It will not be any the 
less fruitful of wrong and misery if, as is 
often the case with evil motives, it adopts 
some high-sounding alias. The truth is, gen- 
tlemen, that each one of us has in him certain 
passions and instincts which, if they gain 
the upper hand in his soul, would mean that 
the wild beast had come uppermost in him. 
Envy, malice, and hatred are such passions, 
and they are just as bad if directed against 
a class or group of men as if directed against 
an individual." 

Golden words, well worth remembering. 
A person who believes in them with all his 
heart cannot go far wrong in his actions, 
no matter what his station in life. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 11 



CHAPTER II 

Nicknamed Teddy — Goes to Harvard College — 
Member of Many Clubs — Death of Mr. Roose- 
velt — Anecdotes of College Life 

The instincts of the hunter must have 
been born in Theodore Roosevelt. His first 
gun was given to him when he was ten 
years of age, and for the time being his 
books and his studies were forgotten, and 
he devoted his whole time and attention to 
shooting at a target set up in the garden of 
the country home and in going out with the 
older folks after such small game as were 
to be found in that vicinity. 

The horses on the place were his pets, 
and he knew the peculiarities of each as 
well as did the man who cared for them. 
Riding and driving came to him as naturally 
as breathing, and the fact that a steed was 
mettlesome did not daunt him. 

"My father often drove four-in-hand," 
he has said. " I liked very much to go 
with him, and I liked to drive, too." 



12 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Theodore Roosevelt's schoolboy days were 
not far out of the ordinary. He studied 
hard, and if he failed in a lesson he did his 
best to make it up the next time. It is 
well said that there is no royal road to 
learning, and even a future President must 
study just as hard as his classmates if he 
wants to keep up with them. Sometimes 
he was absent from school on account of 
sickness, and then it was a sharp struggle 
to keep from dropping behind. 

"In those days nobody expected Teddy 
Roosevelt to amount to a great deal," some 
one has said. " He was thin, pale, and deli- 
cate, and suffered with his eyes. But he 
pulled through, and when he took to 
athletics, it was wonderful how he got 
stronger." 

By his intimate companions, and indeed 
by nearly everybody who knew him, he was 
called Teddy, and this nickname clung to 
him when he went forth into the great 
world to become a governor and a president. 
How the nickname came first into use is 
not known. 

Since those schoolboy days Mr. Roosevelt 
has been asked this question : — 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 13 

" What did you expect to be, or dream 
of being, when you were a boy ?" 

" I do not recollect that I dreamed at all 
or planned at all," was the answer. " I 
simply obeyed the injunction, ^ Whatever 
thy hand findeth to do, do that with all 
thy might,' and so I took up what came 
along as it came." 

In 1876, while the great Centennial 
Exhibition was being held at Philadelphia 
in commemoration of one hundred years of 
national liberty, Theodore Roosevelt took up 
his residence at Cambridge, Massachusetts, 
and became a student at Harvard College. 
During the previous year his health had 
been poor indeed, but now he had taken 
hold of himself in earnest. 

" I determined to be strong and well, and 
did everything to make myself so," he has 
said. "By the time I entered Harvard I 
was able to take part in whatever sports I 
liked." 

As perhaps some of my readers know. 
Harvard College (now termed a University) 
is the oldest and largest institution of learn- 
ing in the United States. It was founded 
in 1636, and among its graduates numbered 



14 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

John Quincy Adams, sixth President of our 
country. The college proper is located in 
Cambridge, but some of the attached schools 
are in Boston. 

Theodore Roosevelt was rich enough to 
have lived in elegant style while at Harvard, 
but he preferred unostentatious quarters, 
and took two rooms in the home of Benj. 
H. Richardson, at what was then No. 16 
and is now No. 88 Winthrop Street. The 
residence is a neat and comfortable one, 
standing on the southwest corner of Win- 
throp and Holyoke streets. 

The young student had two rooms on the 
second floor, — one of good size, used for a 
study, and a small bedroom. In the whole 
four years he was at the college he occupied 
these rooms, and he spent a great deal of 
time in fixing them up to suit his own 
peculiar taste. On the walls were all sorts 
of pictures and photographs, along with 
foils and boxing-gloves, and the horns of 
wild animals. On a shelf rested some birds 
which he had himself stuffed, and books 
were everywhere. 

"It was a regular den, and typical of 
Roosevelt to the last degree," a student of 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 15 

those times has said. " He had his gun 
there and his fishing rod, and often spoke of 
using them. He was noted for trying to 
get at the bottom of things, and I remem- 
ber him well on one occasion when I found 
him with a stuffed bird in one hand and a 
natural history in the other, trying to 
decide if the description in the volume 
covered the specimen before him." When 
Roosevelt graduated from college, he was 
one of a very few that took honors, and the 
subject of his essay was natural history. 
How his love of natural history continued 
will be shown later when we see him as a 
ranchman and hunter of the West. 

Theodore Roosevelt had decided to make 
the most of himself, and while at Harvard 
scarcely a moment was wasted. If he was 
not studying, he was in the gymnasium or on 
the field, doing w^hat he could to make him- 
self strong. He was a firm believer in the 
saying that a sound body makes a sound 
mind, and he speedily became a good boxer, 
wrestler, jumper, and runner. He wrestled 
a great deal, and of this sport says : — 

" I enjoyed it immensely and never in- 
jured myself. I think I was a good deal of 



16 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

a wrestler, and though I never won a cham- 
pionship, yet more than once I won my 
trial heats and got into the final rounds." 

At running he was equally good. " I 
remember once we had a stiff run out into 
the country," said a fellow-student. " Roose- 
velt was behind at the start, but when all 
of the others got played out he forged 
ahead, and in the end he beat us by several 
minutes. But he never bragged about it. 
You see, it wasn't his style." 

With all his other sports, and his study- 
ing, the young collegian did not give up his 
love for driving. He had a good horse and 
a fancy cart, — one of the elevated sort with 
large wheels, — and in this turnout he was 
seen many a day, driving wherever it pleased 
him to go. Sometimes he would get on the 
road with other students, and then there was 
bound to be more or less racing. 

With a strong love for natural history 
it was not surprising that he joined the 
Natural History Club of the college, and 
of this he was one of the most active mem- 
bers. He also joined the Athletic Associa- 
tion, of which he was a steward, and the 
Art Club, the Rifle Corps, the 0. K. Society, 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 17 

and the Finance Club. In his senior year 
he became a member of the Porcelhan Club, 
the Hasty Pudding, and the Alpha Delta 
Phi Club, and also one of the editors of 
a college paper called the Advocate. On 
Sundays he taught a class of boys, first in a 
mission school, and then in a Congregational 
Sunday school. It was a life full of plan- 
ning, full of study, and full of work, and it 
suited Theodore Roosevelt to the last degree. 

As he grew older his love of natural history 
was supplemented by a love for the history 
of nations, and particularly by a love of the 
history of his own country. The war of 
1812 interested him intensely, and before 
he graduated he laid plans for writing a 
history of this war, which should go into all 
the details of the memorable naval conflicts. 

It was while in his third year at Harvard 
that Theodore Roosevelt suffered the first 
heavy affliction of his life. On February 9, 
1878, his father died. It was a cruel blow 
to the family, and one from which the 
faithful wife scarcely recovered. The son 
at Harvard felt his loss greatly, and it was 
some time before he felt able to resume his 
studies. The elder Roosevelt's work as a 



18 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

philanthropist was well known, and many 
gathered at his bier to do him honor, while 
the public journals were filled with eulogies 
of the man. The poor mourned bitterly 
that he was gone, and even the newsboys 
were filled with regret over his taking away. 
In speaking of his parent, President Roose- 
velt once said : " I can remember seeing 
him going down Broadway, staid and re- 
spectable business man that he was, with a 
poor sick kitten in his coat pocket, which 
he had picked up in the street." Such a 
man could not but have a heart overflowing 
with goodness. 

While at college Theodore Roosevelt often 
showed that self-reliance for which he has 
since become famous. To every study that 
he took up he applied himself closely, and if 
he was not at the head of the class, he was 
by no means near the foot. When he was 
sure of a thing, no amount of argument 
could convince him that he was wrong, and 
he did not hesitate at times to enter into a 
discussion even with some of the professors 
over him. 

Although a close student, and also a good 
all-round athlete, Theodore Roosevelt did 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 19 

not forget his social opportunities. Boston 
was but a short distance from his rooms in 
Cambridge, and thither he often went to 
visit the people he had met or to whom he 
had letters of introduction. He was always 
welcome, for his manner was a winning one, 
and he usually had something to tell that 
was of interest — something of what he had 
seen or done, of the next foot-ball or base-ball 
game, of the coming boat races, of his driving 
or exploring, or of how he had added a new 
stuffed bnd to his collection, or a new lizard, 
and of how a far-away friend had sent him a 
big turtle as a souvenir of an ocean trip in 
the South Seas. There is a story that this 
big turtle got loose one night and alarmed 
the entire household by crawling through 
the hallway, looking for a pond or mud-hole 
in which to wallow. At first the turtle was 
mistaken for a burglar, but he soon revealed 
himself by his angry snapping, and it was 
hard work making him a prisoner once 
more. 



20 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER III 

Marries Miss Alice Lee — Travels in Europe — 
Bold Mountain-climbing — Studying Law in 
New York — Elected to the Assembly — Per- 
sonal Encounter with the Enemy 

It was a proud and happy day for Theo- 
dore Roosevelt when, in the summer of 1880, 
he was graduated from Harvard. He took 
scholarly as well as social honors, and came 
forth a Phi Beta Kappa man. His fellow- 
students wished him well, and his family 
greeted him most affectionately. 

Yet with it all there was just a bit of mel- 
ancholy in this breaking away from a place 
that had been as a second home to him for 
four long years. The students were scatter- 
ing to the four points of the compass, and he 
might never see some of them again. But 
others were there whom he was to meet 
later, and who were destined to march 
under him up the bullet-swept slopes of San 
Juan in far-away Cuba. But at that time 
there was no thought of war and carnage. 




Theodore Roosevelt at Graduation, 1880. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 21 

only good-fellowship, with addresses and 
orations, music, flying flags, and huge bon- 
fires and fireworks at night. Happy college 
days were they, never to be forgotten. 

While a student at Harvard, Theodore 
Roosevelt had become intimately acquainted 
with Miss Alice Lee, of Boston, a beautiful 
girl who was a member of an aristocratic 
family of that city. The young college 
student was a frequent visitor at the home 
of the Lees, and on September 23, 1880, the 
two were married. 

It had been decided that Theodore Roose- 
velt should travel in Europe after graduat- 
ing. His father had left the family well 
provided for, so there was no rush to get 
into something whereby a living might be 
earned. Yet Theodore Roosevelt had long 
since determined not to be an idler. He 
would travel and improve his mind, and 
then settle down to that for which he 
seemed best fitted. 

To Europe then he went, accompanied by 
his bride, to study a little and to visit the 
art galleries and museums, the palaces of 
kings and queens, and tlie many great cities 
of that continent. He travelled through 



22 AMERICAN boys" LIFE OF 

Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, and 
the British Isles, taking note of everything 
he saw and coinj^aring it with what he had 
seen in his own country. When in lower 
Europe, the spirit of adventure seized him, 
and he climbed those lofty mountains of 
the Alps, the Jungfrau and the Matterhorn, 
and for those deeds of daring was made a 
member of the Alpine Club of London. It 
may be mentioned here that climbing the 
mountains mentioned is a very difficult 
feat, and that more than one traveller has 
lost his life in such attempts. The peaks 
are covered with snow and ice; the path 
from one cliff to the next is narrow and 
uncertain, and a fall into some dark and 
fearful hollow usually means death. But 
the danger only urged Theodore Roosevelt 
on, and added zest to the undertaking. 

He w^as intensely interested in all he saw, 
both in Europe proper and in the British 
Isles, but wTote that he was glad to get 
back home again, among his own people. 
To hini there was no country like America, 
the land of Golden Ojjportunlty, as one of 
our most noted writers has called it. In 
Europe there was more or less a lack of 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 23 

personal liberty ; here a man could try to 
make what he pleased of himself, be it 
cobbler or President. 

The young college graduate had an uncle 
in New York, named Robert B. Roosevelt, 
who was a well-known lawyer. On his 
return to this coimtry Theodore Roosevelt 
entered his uncle's office, and likewise took 
up the study of law at Columbia University, 
attending the lectures given by Professor 
Dwight. Here again his search after what 
he termed ''bottom facts" came to light, 
and he is well remembered as a member of 
the law class because of the way he fre- 
quently asked questions and called for 
explanations — accepting nothing as a fact 
until it was perfectly clear in his own 
mind. The interruptions did not always 
suit the professor or the other students, 
yet they were often the means of clearing 
up a point that was hazy to many others 
who had not the courage to thrust forth 
their inquiries as did Theodore Roosevelt. 

" He wants to know it all," said one 
student, in disgust. 

" Well, never mind ; I wish I knew it 
all," answered another. " I guess he knows 



24 AMEBIC AN BOYS' LIFE OF 

what he is doing." And in this he was right ; 
Theodore Roosevelt knew exactly what he 
was trying to accomplish. 

The young man was now twenty-three 
years of age, broad-shouldered, and in much 
better health than ever before. He had not 
abandoned his athletic training, and would 
often run out to the old home at 03'ster 
Bay for a tramp into the woods or on a 
hunting tour. 

While still studying law, Theodore Roose- 
velt entered politics by taking an active 
part in a Republican primary. He lived 
in the twenty-third assembly district of the 
state. The district included a great num- 
ber of rich and influential citizens, and on 
that account was called the "Diamond 
Back District." 

"Let us put up young Roosevelt for 
Assembly," said one of the pouticians. 
" He's a clever fellow." 

" That may be," said another. " But I 
don't know that we can manage him. He 
seems a fellow who wants his own way." 

"Yes, he'll want his own way, but I 
reckon that way wdll be the right way," 
put in a third speaker. 



THEODOBE ROOSEVELT 25 

No sooner had Theodore Roosevelt's 
name been mentioned as a possible can- 
didate than there was a storm of oppo- 
sition from some politicians who had in 
the past ruled the district with a rod of 
iron. It was a Republican district, so that 
the contest for the place was entirely in 
the primary. 

" If he is nominated and elected, our 
power will be gone," they told themselves ; 
and set to work without delay to throw 
the nomination into the hands of somebody 
else. 

Theodore Roosevelt suspected what was 
going on, but he said nothing to those who 
opposed him. With his friends he was 
very frank, and told them that if he 
was nominated he would do his Ijest to 
win the election and serve them honestly 
in the I-^islature. 

His open-hearted ness won him many 
friends, and when the primary was held, 
those who had opposed him were chagrined 
to see him win the nomination with votes 
to spare. Some at once predicted that he 
would not be elected. 

" Those who opposed him at the primary 



26 AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 

will not vote for him," they said. " They 
would rather help the Democrats." 

But this prediction proved false. At the 
election Theodore Roosevelt was elected 
with a good majority. It was his first 
battle in the political arena, and if he felt 
proud over it, who can blame him ? 

The State Capitol of New York is, as my 
young readers must know, at Albany, on 
the Upper Hudson, and hither the young 
assemblyman journeyed. The assembly- 
men poured in from all over the state, 
and were made up of all sorts and con- 
ditions of men, including bankers, farmers, 
merchants, contractors, liquor dealers, and 
even prize-fighters. Many of these men 
were thoroughly honest, but there were 
others who were there for gain only, and 
who cared little for the passing of just 
laws. 

The party to which Theodore Roosevelt 
belonged was in the minority, so that the 
young assemblyman found he would have 
to struggle hard if he expected to be heard 
at all. But the thoughts of such a struggle 
only put him on his mettle, and he plunged 
in with a vigor that astonished his oppo- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 27 

nents and caused great delight to his 
friends. 

" He is fearless," said one who had voted 
for him. " He will make things warm 
for those who don't want to act on the 
square." And he certainly did make it 
warm, until a certain class grew to fear 
and hate him to such a degree that they 
plotted to do him bodily harm. 

" He has got to learn that he must mind 
his own business," was the way one of 
these corruptionists reasoned. 

" But what can we do ? " asked another. 
" He's as sharp on the floor of the Assembly 
as a steel trap." 

" We'll get Stubby to brush up against 
him," said a third. 

Stubby was a bar-room loafer who had 
been at one time something of a pugilist. 
He was a thoroughly unprincipled fellow, 
and it was known that he would do almost 
anything for money. 

" Sure, I'll fix him," said Stubby. " You 
just leave him to me and see how I polish 
him off." 

The corruptionists and their tool met at 
the Delavan House, an old-fashioned hotel at 



z^' 



28 AMERICAN BOY.S LIFE OF 

which pohticians in and around the capital 
were wont to congregate, and waited for the 
young assemblyman. Roosevelt was not 
long in putting in an appearance and was 
soon in deep discussion with some friends. 

" Watch him, Stubby," said one of the 
young assemblyman's enemies. " Don't let 
him get away from you to-night." 

" I have me eye on him," answered 
Stubby. 

Roosevelt was on the way to the buffet of 
the hotel when the crowd, with Stubby in 
front, pushed against him rudely. The 
young assemblyman stepped back and viewed 
those before him fearlessly. 

" Say, what do yer mean, running into me 
that way ? " demanded Stubby, insolently. 

As he spoke he aimed a savage blow at 
Theodore Roosevelt. But the young as- 
semblyman had not forgotten how to box, 
and he dodged with an agility that was 
astonishing. 

" This fellow needs to be taught a lesson," 
Theodore Roosevelt told himself, and then 
and there he proceeded to administer the 
lesson in a manner that Stubby never for- 
got. He went down flat on his back, and 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 29 

when he got up, he went down again, with a 
bleeding nose and one eye all but closed. 
Seeing this, several leaped in to his assistance, 
but it was an ill-fated move, for Roosevelt 
turned on them also, and down they went, 
too ; and then the encounter came to an end, 
with Theodore Roosevelt the victor. 

" And that wasn't the end of it," said one, 
who witnessed the affair. "After it was 
over young Roosevelt was as smiling as 
ever. He walked straight over to some of 
his enemies who had been watching the 
mix-up from a distance and told them very 
plainly that he knew how the attack had 
originated, and he was much obliged to them, 
for he hadn't enjoyed himself so much for a 
year. Phew ! but weren't those fellows mad ! 
And wasn't Stubby mad when he learned 
that they had set him against one of the 
best boxers Harvard ever turned out ? But 
after that you can make sure they treated 
Roosevelt with respect and gave him a wide 
berth." 



30 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER IV 

Theodore Roosevelt and Governor Cleveland — 
Good Work as an Assemblyman — Some Measures 

PUSHED through — BiRTH OF AlICE RoOSEVELT — 

Death of Mr. Roosevelt's Mother 

The career of an assemblyman is not 
generally an interesting one, but Mr. Roose- 
velt managed to extract not a little pleasure 
and also some profit from it. The experi- 
ence was just what he needed to fit himself 
for the larger positions he was, later on, to 
occupy. 

One happening is of peculiar interest to 
note. While Theodore Roosevelt was a 
member of the Assembly, Grover Cleveland 
became governor of the state. Mr. Cleve- 
land was a Democrat, while Mr. Roosevelt 
was a Republican, yet the two future Presi- 
dents of the United States became warm 
friends, — a friendship that has endured to 
the present day. 

It is said that the friendship started in 
rather a peculiar manner. There was at 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 31 

the time a measure before the Assembly to 
reduce the fare of the elevated roads in 
New York City from ten cents to five cents. 
After a great deal of talking, the bill passed 
the Assembly and then the Senate, and went 
to the governor for his signature. Much 
to the sm^prise of the general public Gov- 
ernor Cleveland vetoed the bill, stating that 
when the capitalists had built the elevated 
roads they had understood that the fare was 
to be ten cents, and that it was not right to 
deprive them of their profits. At once 
those who wanted the measure to become 
a law decided to pass it over the governor's 
head. When this attempt was made, Theo- 
dore Roosevelt got up boldly and said he 
could not again vote for the bill — that he 
was satisfied that Governor Cleveland's 
view of the matter was correct. 

" These people would not have put their 
money in the elevated railroads had they 
not been assured that the fare was to be ten 
cents," said he. " We are under obligation 
to them, and we must keep our promises." 
And so the bill fell through. It was not 
in itself right that the fare should be ten 
cents, and it has long since been reduced to 



32 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

five cents, but it shows that Theodore Roose- 
velt was bound to do wliat was right and 
just, according to the dictates of his own 
conscience, and this won for him many 
friends, even among those who had opposed 
him politically. 

In a work of this kind, intended mainly 
for the use of young people, it is not neces- 
sary to do more than glance at the work 
which Theodore Roosevelt accomplished 
while a member of the New York Assembly. 

He made a close study of the various 
political offices of New York County and 
discovered that many office-holders were 
drawing large sums of money in the shape 
of fees for which they were doing hardly 
any work. This he considered unfair, and 
by dint of hard labor helped to pass a law 
placing such offices on the salary list, mak- 
ing a saving to the county of probably half 
a million dollars a year. 

One of the best things done by Theodore 
Roosevelt at that time ^vas the support 
given b}^ him to a civil service law for the 
state. Up to that time office-holding was 
largely in the hands of the party which 
happened to be in power. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 33 

" This is all wrong," said the young assem- 
blyman. "A clerk or anybody else doing 
his duty faithfully should not be thrown 
out as soon as there is a political change." 
The new law was passed, and this was the 
beginning of what is commonly called the 
merit system, whereby a large number of 
those who work for the state are judged 
solely by their capabilities and not by their 
political beliefs. This system has since been 
extended to other states and also to office- 
holding under the national government. 

Another important measure pushed 
through the Assembly by Theodore Roose- 
velt was what was known as the Edson 
Charter for New York City, giving to the 
mayor certain rights which in the past had 
rested in the board of aldermen. This 
measure was defeated during Roosevelt's 
second term of office, but in 1884 he 
pressed it with such force that it overcame 
all opposition and became a law. Many 
have considered this victory his very best 
work. 

By those who knew him at this time he 
is described as having ahnost a boyish fig- 
ure, frank face, clear, penetrating eyes, and 



34 xMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

a smile of good-natured friendship and dry 
humor. When he talked it was with an 
earnestness that could not be mistaken. By 
those who were especially bitter against 
him he was sometimes called a dude and a 
silk stocking, but to these insinuations he 
paid no attention, and after the encounter 
at the Delavan House his opponents were 
decidedly more careful as to how they 
addressed him. 

" Take him all the way through he was 
generally even tempered," one has said who 
met him at that time. " But occasionally 
there was a flash from his eye that made 
his opponent draw back in quick order. He 
would stand a good deal, but there were 
some things he wouldn't take, and they 
knew it. One thing is certain, after he was 
in the Assembly for a few months every- 
body knew perfectly that to come to him 
with any bill that was the least bit shady 
was a waste of time and effort. Roosevelt 
wouldn't stand for it a minute." 

In those days Theodore Roosevelt did 
not give up his habits of athletic exercise, 
and nearly every day he could be seen 
taking long walks in the country around 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 35 

Albany. In the meantime his " Naval 
War of 1812 " was well under way, but he 
could spare only a few hours occasionally 
to complete his manuscript. 

His married life had thus far been a 
happy one, and its joy was greatly increased 
by the birth of his daughter Alice. As 
will be seen later, Mr. Roosevelt is what is 
called a family man, and he took great 
comfort in this new addition to his little 
household. But his happiness was short- 
lived, for in 1884, when the daughter was 
but a baby, the beloved wife died, and the 
little one had to be given over to the care 
of the grandparents in Boston. Not many 
months later Mr. Roosevelt's mother died 
also, heaping additional sorrow upon his 
head. 

With the conclusion of his third term in 
the Assembly Theodore Roosevelt's work as 
a member of that body came to an end. If 
he had made some enemies, he had made 
more friends, and he was known as an ardent 
supporter of reform in all branches of poli- 
tics. In recognition of his ability he was 
chosen as a delegate-at-large to the Re- 
publican convention brought together to 



36 AMEBIC AN boys' LIFE OF 

nominate a candidate to succeed President 
Arthur. 

At that time James G. Blaine from Maine 
had served many years in the United States 
Senate, and it was thought that he would 
surely be both nominated and elected. But 
many were opposed to Blaine, thinking he 
would not support such reform measures 
as they wished to see advanced, and among 
this number was Theodore Roosevelt. 

" We must nominate Mr. Edmunds," said 
the young delegate-at-large, and did his best 
for the gentleman in question. 

"It cannot be done," said another delegate. 

The convention met at Exposition Hall 
in Chicago, and Mr. Roosevelt was placed 
on the Committee on Resolutions. It was 
a stormy convention, and ballot after ballot 
had to be taken before a nomination could 
be secured. Blaine led from the start, with 
Senator Edmunds a fairly close second. 

" If Blaine is nominated, he will be de- 
feated," said more than one. 

At last came the deciding vote, and 
James G. Blaine was put up at the head of 
the ticket, with John A. Logan for Vice- 
President. 




LA-Xu^-c^ «Zcx- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 37 

At once Blaine clubs were organized all 
over the country, and the Repul)lican party 
did all in its power to elect its candidate. 
He was called the Plumed Knight, and 
many political clubs wore plumes in his honor 
when on parade. In the meantime the 
Democrats had nominated Grover Cleveland. 

The fight was exceedingly bitter up to 
the very evening of election day. When the 
votes were counted, it was found that Blaine 
had been defeated by a large majority, and 
that Grover Cleveland, Roosevelt's old friend, 
had won the highest gift in the hands of 
the nation. 

His work at the convention in Chicago 
was Theodore Roosevelt's first entrance into 
national affairs, and his speeches on that 
occasion will not be readily forgotten. It 
was here that he came into contact with 
William McKinley, with whom, sixteen 
years later, he was to run on the same 
ticket. The records of that convention 
show that on one occasion McKinley spoke 
directly after Roosevelt. Thus were these 
two drawn together at that early day with- 
out knowing or dreaming that one was to 
succeed the other to the Presidency. 



38 AMERICAN BOYS" LIFE OF 

But though Theodore Roosevelt was dis- 
appouited over the nomination made at 
Chicago, he did not desert his party. In- 
stead he did all he could to lead them to 
victory, until the death of his mother 
caused him to withdraw temporarily from 
public affairs. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 39 



CHAPTER V 

Theodore Roosevelt as a Ranchman and Hunter 
IN THE Bad Lands — Bringing down His First 
Buffalo — Rattlesnakes, and a Wild Goose 

Theodoke Roosevelt had now pub- 
lished his " Naval History of the War of 
1812," and it had created a decidedly favor- 
able opinion among those critics who were 
best able to judge of the production. It is 
an authoritative work, and is to-day in the 
library of nearly every American warship 
afloat, as well as in numerous government 
libraries in this coimtry, as at Washington, 
West Point, and Annapolis, and also in lead- 
ing libraries of England. 

Being out of politics the young author 
thought of taking up his pen once more. 
But he was restless by nature, and the loss 
of his wife and his mother still weighed 
heavily upon him. So he took himself to 
the West, to where the Little Missouri 
River flows in winding form through what 
are called the Bad Lands of North Dakota. 



40 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

Here, on the edge of the cattle country, 
Theodore Roosevelt had become possessed of 
two ranches, one called the Elkhorn and the 
other Chimney Butte. Both were located 
by the river, which during the dry season 
was hardly of any depth at all, but which 
during the heavy rains, or dm-ing the spring 
freshets, became a roaring torrent. 

At one of these ranches Theodore Roose- 
velt settled down for the time being, to 
rough it in hunting and raising cattle. 
When the weather would not permit of his 
going abroad, or when the mood of the 
author seized him, he wrote. As a result of 
these experiences he has given us a delight- 
ful work called " The Hunting Trips of a 
Ranchman," first published in 1885, giving 
his adventures among the cattle and while 
on the hunt, sometimes alone and some- 
times in company with the rude but honest 
cow punchers and plainsmen who surrounded 
him. 

Mr. Roosevelt has described the ranch at 
which he lived for tlie greater part of his 
time as a long, low, story-high house of 
hewn logs, clean and neat, and with many 
rooms. It faced the river, and in front was 



THEODOBE ROOSEVELT 41 

a long, low veranda, where one might idle 
on a clear, warm day to his heart's content. 
Inside, the main room contained a shelf full 
of the owner's favorite outdoor books and 
the walls half-a-dozen pet pictures. Rifles 
and shot-guns stood handy in corners, and on 
pegs and deer horns hung overcoats of wolf 
or coon skin and gloves of otter or beaver. 

That Theodore Roosevelt was a close 
observer of all that occurred around him is 
proved by his writings. With great minute- 
ness he has described his life at the ranch 
home and while in the saddle, both in 
winter and summer, telling of his experi- 
ences while rounding up cattle and while 
bringing down waterfowl and larger game 
of various kinds. He likewise describes the 
trained hunters he has met at different 
seasons of the year, and tells of what they 
have done or were trying to do. 

At this time his favorite horse was a steed 
called Manitou. But when on a round-up 
of cattle, many ponies were taken along, so 
that a fresh mount could be had at any 
time. It was a breezy, free life, and to it 
our President undoubtedly owes the rugged 
constitution that he possesses to-day. 



42 AMERICAN boys" LIFE OF 

His observations led him to make many in- 
vestisjations concerning- the smaller wild ani- 
mals near his ranches and the larger beasts 
to be found farther off. The tales which 
were told to him by other ranchmen and 
hunters he always took "with a grain of 
salt," and he soon reached the conclusion 
that many of the so-styled mighty hunters 
were only such in name, and had brought 
down quantities of game only in years gone 
by when such game was plentiful and could 
be laid low without much trouble. Once 
when a man told him he had brought down 
a certain beast at four hundred yards, Roose- 
A^elt measured the distance and found it to 
be less than half that. 

"You couldn't fool him on much," said 
one of the persons who met him about that 
time. " He would take precious little for 
granted. He wanted to know the how of 
everything, and he wasn't satisfied until he 
did know." 

Regarding his own powers as a hunter 
at that time, Mr. Roosevelt is very modest. 
He says his eyesight was rather poor, and 
his hand not over steady, so that " drawing 
a bead " on anything was not easy. Yet he 



TIIEODOBE ROOSEVELT 43 

went into the sport with much enthusiasm, 
and if at times he came back at nightfall 
empty-handed, he did not complain, and 
he was almost certain to have something 
interesting to tell of what he had seen. 

Theodore Roosevelt had been in this ter- 
ritory before, although not to remain any 
great length of time. Once he had come 
out to hunt buffalo, no easy thing to do, 
since this game was growing scarcer every 
day. He had a guide named Ferris, who 
was not particularly struck with the appear- 
ance of the pale young man, plainly dressed, 
whom he met at the railroad station. 

" I sized him up as not being able to 
endure a long trip after a buffalo," said the 
guide, in speaking afterward of the meeting. 
"He was well mounted, but he looked as if he 
might play out before the sun went down." 

But in this the guide was mistaken. 
Roosevelt proved that he could ride as well 
as anybody. The first night out found the 
hunters about thirty miles from any settle- 
ment. They went into camp on the open 
prairie, tethermg their horses with ropes 
fastened to their saddles, which they used 
as pillows. 



44 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

All went well for an hour or two, ^\ilen the 
improvised pillow was jerked from beneath 
Theodore Roosevelt's head, and he heard 
his horse bounding away in the distance. 

" Wolves ! " cried the guide. " They have 
frightened our horses ! " 

So it proved; and the hunters lost no 
time in reaching for their firearms. But 
the wolves kept their distance, and soon 
Theodore Roosevelt was rimning; after the 
horses, which, after a good deal of trou- 
ble, he secured and brought back. After 
that the guide no longer looked on him as a 
"tenderfoot." 

"A tenderfoot," said he, "would have 
been scared to death. But Teddy Roosevelt 
was as cool as a cucumber through it all — 
as if the happening wasn't in the least out 
of the ordinary." 

For several days the hunters remained on 
the prairie looking for buffalo, but without 
success. They were on the point of turning 
back when the guide noticed that the horses 
were growing uneasy. 

" Some big game at hand," he announced. 
" Come on to yonder washout and see if I am 
not right." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 45 

With great caution the himters advanced 
to the washout the guide had mentioned. 
Dismounting, they crept forward in the 
shelter of the brushwood, and there, true 
enough, resting at his ease was a great buf- 
falo bull. 

" Hit him where the patch of red shows on 
his side," whispered the guide, and Roose- 
velt nodded to show that he understood. 
With care and coolness he took aim and 
fired, and the buffalo bull leaped up and 
staggered forward with the blood streaming 
from his mouth and nose. 

"Shall I give him another?" was the 
question asked, but before it could be an- 
swered the buffalo bull gave a plimge and 
fell dead. 

Rattlesnakes are rather unpleasant reptiles 
to deal with, and Theodore Roosevelt has 
shown his bravery by the way in which he 
speaks of them in his accounts of outdoor 
life. He says to a man wearing alligator 
boots there is little danger, for the fang of 
the reptile cannot go through the leather, 
and the snake rarely strikes as high as one's 
knee. But he had at least one experience 
with a rattlesnake not readily forgotten. 



46 AMEBIC AN BOYS' LIFE OF 

He was out on a hunt for antelope. 
The sage-brush in which he was conceahng 
himself was so low that he had to crawl 
along flat on his breast, pushing himself for- 
ward with hands and feet as best he could. 

He was almost on the antelope when he 
heard a warning whirr close at his side, and 
glancing hastily in that direction, saw the 
reptile but a few feet away, coiled up and 
ready to attack. 

It was a thrilling and critical moment, 
and had the young hunter leaped up he 
might have been dangerously if not fatally 
struck. But by instinct he backed away 
silently and moved off in another direction 
through the brush. The rattlesnake did 
not follow, although it kept its piercing 
eyes on the hunter as long as possible. After 
the antelope stalk was over, Roosevelt came 
back to the spot, made a careful search, and, 
watching his chance, fired on the rattle- 
snake, killing it instantly. 

In those days Theodore Roosevelt met 
Colonel William Cody, commonly known as 
" Buffalo Bill," and many other celebrated 
characters of the West. He never grew 
tired of listening to the stories these old 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 47 

trappers, hunters, scouts, and plainsmen had 
to tell, and some of these stories he afterward 
put into print, and they have made excellent 
reading. 

Dm'ing many of his hunting expeditions 
at that time Theodore Roosevelt was accom- 
panied by his foreman, a good shot and 
all-round ranchman named Merrifield. Mer- 
rifield had been in the West but five years, 
but the life fitted him exactly, and in him 
Roosevelt the ranchman and hunter found 
a companion exactly to his liking, -fearless 
and self-reliant to the last degree. 

As perhaps most of my young readers 
know, wild geese are generally brought 
down with a shot-gun, but in the Bad Lands 
it was not unusual to bring them down with 
a rifle, provided the hunter was quick and 
accurate enough in his aim. One morning, 
just before dawn, Theodore Roosevelt was 
riding along the edge of a creek when he 
heard a cackling that he knew must come 
from some geese, and he determined if possi- 
ble to lay one low. 

It was easy work to dismount and crawl 
to the edge of the creek. But a fog lay over 
the water, and he could see the geese but in- 



48 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

distinctly. Leaving the creek bank, lie ran 
silently to where the watercourse made a 
turn and then crawled forward in the brush. 
Soon the fog lifted once more, and he saw 
the geese resting on the water close to the 
bend. He fired quickly and brought down 
the largest of the flock, while the others lost 
no time in disappearing. It was a good fat 
goose and made excellent eating. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 49 



CHAPTER VI 

Grouse and Other Small Game — The Scotchman 
AND the Skunk — Caught in a Hailstorm on 
the Prairie — Bringing down Black-tail Deer 

It cannot be said that Theodore Roose- 
velt's venture as a ranchman was a very 
successful one, and it is doubtful if he ex- 
pected to make much money out of it. He 
lost nothing in a financial way, and there is 
no doubt but that the experience was of 
great benefit to him. In this semi-wilder- 
ness he met all sorts and conditions of men, 
and grew to know them thoroughly. In the 
past his dealings had been almost entirely 
with people of large cities and towns, and 
with men of learning and large business 
affairs; here he fell in with the wildest 
kind of cowboys and frontiersmen. Some 
he soon found were not fit to be associated 
with, but the majority proved as honest and 
hard-working fellows as could be met with 
anywhere. Many of these loved the yoimg 
"boss" from the start, and when, years 



50 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

later, the war with Spam broke out, and 
there was a call to arms, not a few of them 
insisted upon joining the Rough Riders just 
to be near Theodore Roosevelt once more. 

Around the ranches owned by Theodore 
Roosevelt there were more or less grouse of 
the sharp-tailed variety. As this sort of 
game made excellent eating, ranchmen and 
regular hunters did not hesitate to bring 
them down at every opportunity. 

One afternoon Theodore Roosevelt left his 
ranch to visit the shack of one of his herders, 
about thirty-five miles down the river. It 
was a cold, clear day, and he was finely 
mounted on a well-trained pony. He writes 
that he was after grouse, hoping to get quite 
a number of them. 

He had trusted to reach the shack long 
before sundown, but the way was bad, over 
bottoms covered with thin ice and snow, 
and soon darkness came on, leaving him 
practically lost in the cottonwoods that 
lined the watercoiu-se. 

What to do the 3^oimg ranchman did not 
know, and it is safe to say that he wished 
himself heartily out of the difficulty. It 
was so dark he could not see three yards 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 61 

ahead of him, and it was only by the merest 
accident that he struck the shack at last, 
and then he found it empty, for the herder 
had gone off elsewhere on business. 

So far Roosevelt had seen no game, so he 
was without food, and what made matters 
worse, the larder of the shack proved to be 
empty. All he had with him was a little 
package of tea. 

It was a dismal outlook truly, and espe- 
cially on such a cold night. But firewood 
was at hand, and after turning his pony 
loose to shift for itself, the future President 
of oiu^ country started up housekeeping 
for himself by lighting a fire, bringing in 
some water from under the ice of the river, 
and brewing himself a good, strong cup of 
tea ! It was not a very nourishing meal, 
but it was all he had, and soon after that he 
went to sleep, trusting for better luck in the 
morning. 

He was up almost before daybreak, and 
my young readers can rest assured that by 
that time his appetite was decidedly keen. 
Listening intently, he could hear the grouse 
drumming in the woods close by. 

"I must have some of them, and that 



52 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

directly," he told himself, and rifle in hand 
lost no time in making his way to the 
woods. By keeping out of sight behind the 
brushwood he managed to get quite close to 
the game, and so brought down one after 
another until he had five. Such success 
was a great satisfaction to him, and return- 
ing to the shack he fixed himself a break- 
fast of broiled sharptails, to which he did 
full justice. 

It was not all play at the ranches, and 
sometimes Theodore Roosevelt went out 
with his men to round up the cattle and 
help "cut out" what was his own. This 
was hard work, for frequently the cattle did 
not want to be separated from the beasts 
belonging to another ranchman. More 
than once an angry cow or a bull would 
charge, and then there would be a lively 
scramble on pony-back or on foot to get 
out of the way. Sometimes, too, the cattle 
would wander off and get lost, and then a 
long and hard hunt would be necessary in 
order to find them ao:ain. 

But there was fun as well as hard work, 
and Mr. Roosevelt has told one story about 
a skunk that is sure to be remembered. He 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 53 

says that skunks were very numerous, and 
that they were more feared tlian larger ani- 
mals by the cowboys because the bite was 
sm^e to bring on hydrophobia. 

One night a number of the cowboys 
and Mr. Roosevelt were sleeping in a hut. 
A skunk came along, and after a time 
worked its way into the hut. It got 
among the pots and pans and made a 
noise which quickly awoke a Scotchman 
named Sandy. 

Thinking something was wrong, Sandy 
struck a light, and seeing the eyes of the 
skunk, fired. But his aim was bad, and the 
animal fled. 

" What were you firing at ?" asked half a 
dozen of the other cowboys. 

The Scotchman explained, and, satisfied 
that it had been a skunk, the others told 
him he had better leave the animal alone or 
there would be trouble. 

Nobody thought the skunk would come 
back, but it did, and again Sandy heard it 
among the pots and pans. This was too 
much for his Scotch blood, and taking aim 
once more, he fired and gave the skunk a 
mortal wound. At once the hut was filled 



54 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

with a powerful odor that made all the 
inmates rush for the open air. 

"Now see what you have done!" cried 
several, indignantly. 

" Hoot mon ! " answered the Scotchman, 
holding his nose tightly, "A didna ken 
'twould cause sec' a tragedee ! " 

And after that we may be sure that 
Sandy let skunks severely alone. 

Hunting in the summer time, or when the 
weather was but moderately cold, was well 
enough, but hunting in the dead of winter 
was quite a different thing. Then the ther- 
mometer would frequently drop to thirty 
and forty degrees below zero, and there would 
be a cutting " norther" fit to freeze the very 
marrow in one's bones. Seldom was there 
much snow, but when it came, it caused a 
veritable blizzard, during which neither man 
nor beast felt like stirring out. 

It was during such weather that Theo- 
dore Roosevelt once had the tip of his nose 
and one cheek frozen — something that 
caused him not a little pain and trouble 
for a long time afterward. 

It was in those dreary days that the logs 
were piled high in the broad fireplace of the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 55 

ranch home, and Theodore Roosevelt spent 
his days in reading and studying, in writing 
letters to his friends and relatives, and in 
penning some of the hunting sketches that 
have won him literary fame. 

One day, early in the winter, Theodore 
Roosevelt and his foreman went out to see 
if they could not bring in two white-tail deer 
which had been seen in the vicinity of the 
ranch the day before. One of the deer, a 
large buck, had been shot in the ankle by 
the foreman, so the beginning of the trail 
was easy to follow. The buck and his 
mate had gone into a thicket, and it was 
likely that there the pair had spent the 
night. 

" We'll have our own trouble finding the 
tracks again," said the foreman. And so it 
proved ; for during the night some cattle and 
other animals had passed in and out of the 
thicket, which covered a large extent of 
territory. 

At last the hunters hit upon the right 
trail, and the foreman went ahead, leaving 
Roosevelt to keep somewhat toward the out- 
side of the cover. Both were wide-awake 
and on the alert, and presently the foreman 



66 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

announced that he had found the spot 
where the wounded buck had passed the 
night. 

" He is not very far from here," said the 
foreman, and hardly had he said this than 
Theodore Roosevelt heard a cracking of 
fallen twigs and a breaking of the brush 
and lower limbs of the trees as the buck 
rushed through the thicket. He ran with 
all speed in the direction and took station 
behind a large tree. 

Only a few seconds passed, and then the 
buck showed his head and antlers among the 
brushwood. He was gazing ahead anxiously, 
no doubt trying to decide if it would be safe 
to leap into the open and run up the trail. 
Then he turned his gaze directly toward 
where Theodore Roosevelt was crouching, 
rifle in hand. 

Another instant and it would have been 
too late. But just as the buck's head was 
turned and he sniffed the air suspiciously, 
the young ranchman pulled the trigger. 

" He turned his head sharply toward me 
as I raised the rifle," says Mr. Roosevelt, in 
writing of this adventure, " and the bullet 
went fairly into his throat, just imder the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 67 

jaw, breaking his neck, and bringing him 
down in his tracks with hardly a kick." 

The buck proved to be an extra fine one, 
and the two hunters lost no time in dressing 
the game and taking it to the ranch. Not 
wishing to go back for their horses, the two 
dragged the game over the snow, each taking 
hold of an antler for that purpose. It was 
intensely cold, so that each of the hunters 
had to drag; first with one hand and then 
with the other for fear of having his fingers 
frozen. 

This was one of the times when the yoimg 
ranchman and hunter was successful in his 
quest. But Mr. Roosevelt has not hesitated 
to tell of the many times he has gone out on 
the hunt only to return empty-handed and 
glad enough to get back to a warm shelter 
and where he was sure of a good meal. 

"Ranching and huntmg was no bed of 
roses," some one who knew him at that time 
has said. " Many a time he came back ut- 
terly fagged out and not a thing to show for 
his labor. But he never complained, and on 
the contrary could generally tell a pretty good 
story about something he had seen or had 
taken note of. In the summer he would 



58 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

examine the nests of birds and water-fowl 
with great care, and I have seen him with a 
horned frog before him, studying every point 
of the creature." 

Once while on the prairie the young ranch- 
man was caught in a heavy hail-storm. He 
was out with a number of others, when, with 
scarcely any warning, the sky began to grow 
dark, and the wind came up in fitful gusts. 

" We must get out of this, and quick too," 
said a companion. And all pushed onward 
as fast as they could. But soon the heavy 
fall of hail overtook them, and they were glad 
enough to seek even the slight shelter of a 
deep washout, where men and horses huddled 
close together for protection. The hailstones 
came down as large as marbles, causing the 
horses to jump around in a fashion that 
was particularly dangerous to themselves 
and to their owners. The time was August, 
yet the air grew very cold, and when the 
storm was over, some cattle were found com- 
pletely benumbed. A few had been killed, 
and there had likewise been great slaughter 
among a flock of lambs that had been driven 
into the Bad Lands the year previous. 

Mr. Roosevelt tells us that the greatest 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 59 

number of black-tailed deer he ever killed 
in one day was three. He is a true sports- 
man in this respect and does not kill for the 
mere sake of killing. Those who go out just 
to slaughter all they possibly can are not 
sportsmen, but butchers. To be sikc, a 
hunter may have to play the butcher at 
times, when the meat is needed, but not 
otherwise. 

On the occasion when the three blacktails 
were laid low the young ranchman and his 
foreman started on the hunt very early in 
the morning, when the bright moon was still 
in the sky. It was late in November and 
stinging cold, so they allowed their horses 
to take their own pace, which was far from 
slow. 

The coiurse of the hunters was up the bed 
of a dry creek, along which they passed the 
still sleeping cattle and also a drove of po- 
nies. Then they reached a spot where they 
left their own steeds, and, rifles in hand, hur- 
ried silently toward a great plateau which 
lay some distance before them. Signs of 
deer could be seen on every hand, and both 
were certain that the day's outing would 
prove a grand success. 



60 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Theodore Roosevelt had separated from 
his companion when of a sudden he caught 
sight of a beautiful doe. It was a fair shot, 
and dropping on one knee he took aim and 
fired. But to his intense chagrin the doe 
bounded off and disappeared in the brush- 
wood. 

"Hit anything?" sang out the foreman. 

" I am afraid not," was the answer. 

"Never mind; better luck next time." 
And then both sank down behmd a rock 
where they could get a good view of a hol- 
low ahead of them. 

They had been behind the rock but a short 
time when they heard a cracking of twigs, 
and a fine black-tail buck came cautiously 
into view. Both fired, and the buck rolled 
over, never to rise again. Then another 
deer came into view and both fired again, 
but the game was not struck and lost no 
time in disappearing. 

" Never mind ; one isn't so bad," said 
Theodore Roosevelt, and his companion 
agreed with him. 

The hunters now decided to go forward 
into the hollow and look for the doe Theo- 
dore Roosevelt had missed. This was done, 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 61 

and soon the foreman pointed to some drops 
and splashes of blood. 

" Must have hit her, after all," said the 
foreman. " We can take our time about 
following her up. We'll be sure to get her 
sooner or later." 

But locating the wounded doe proved not 
so easy, after all. The trail was followed for 
some time, but was lost on the hard ground 
higher up; and at last the two hunters 
agreed to look for new game. They had 
lunch, and then started out nearly as fresh 
as before when suddenly the foreman called 
out: — 

" There's your game all right ! " 

He pointed to a clmnp of bushes, and 
rimning forward, both saw the doe stretched 
out, stiff and cold. She had been mortally 
wounded, after all, much to both hunters' 
gratification. 

So far the himting had been on foot, but 
now the hunters took again to their steeds. 
Mr. Roosevelt says he was wishing for just 
one more shot, to see if he could not do 
better than before, when his wish was grati- 
fied. Just ahead a yearling black-tail buck 
leaped into view and cantered away. After 



62 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

the buck went both hunters, but Theodore 
Roosevelt was in the lead, and this time deter- 
mined to make no miss or poor shot. He 
waited until the buck turned its side to 
him, then fired with especial care. The 
game staggered on, then fell. The bullet 
had gone clean through its body, and in a 
few seconds it breathed its last. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 63 



CHAPTER VII 

Runs for Mayor of New York City — Marriage 
TO Edith Kermit Carew — Hunting in the Big- 
horn Mountains — A Wild Chase after Three 
Elk 

Although Theodore Roosevelt was de- 
voting himself to ranching, hunting, and lit- 
erary work in North Dakota he had by no 
means given np his residence in New York 
or at Oyster Bay. More than this, he still 
continued his connection with the Repub- 
lican party in spite of the set-back at the 
last National Convention. 

In 1886, while Grover Cleveland was still 
President of the United States, there was 
an exceedingly sharp and bitter fight in 
New York City over the office of mayor. 
There was great discontent both in the 
Republican and the Democratic party, and 
nobody could tell what was going to happen 
on election day. 

" Let us put up Teddy Roosevelt," said 
some of the Republicans, and shortly after 



64 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

this Theodore Roosevelt was nominated for 
mayor of New York. His regular opponent 
was Abram Hewitt, while the Independents 
put up Henry George, the " single tax " 
man, well known as the author of a book 
entitled "Progress and Poverty." 

From the very start the campaign was 
an exceedingly hot one, and there was a 
good deal of parading and speech-making. 
Many clubs were organized in behalf of 
Theodore Roosevelt, and clubs were like- 
wise formed to support the other candidates. 
The supporters of Henry George came from 
both regular parties, so political matters be- 
came very much mixed up. 

" There is no show for Roosevelt imless 
George withdraws," said more than one old 
politician. 

"And George won't withdraw," added 
others. And so it proved. Henry George 
was exceptionally strong with the poorer 
classes, and on election day he polled over 
68,000 votes ; 90,552 votes were cast for 
Hewitt, while Roosevelt received 60,435 
votes. 

It was certainly a disheartening defeat, 
and many a man would have retired from 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 65 

the political field, never to show himself 
again. But Theodore Roosevelt was made 
of sterner stuff. He held his ground and 
went his way as before, resolved to do his 
duty as it should present itself. 

It was about this time that his intimacy 
with Miss Edith Kermit Carew was re- 
newed. It will be remembered that she 
had been his playmate during his earlier 
days around Union Square. In the years 
that had followed she had been graduated 
from a young ladies' seminary and had 
travelled abroad, visiting London, Paris, and 
other large cities. Now she was home again, 
and on December 2, 1886, she became Mr. 
Roosevelt's wife. 

Mr. Roosevelt's second marriage has been 
a very happy one. Mrs. Roosevelt is a 
loving wife and a gracious mistress of the 
White House. Five children ha7e come to 
bless their union, of which more will be said 
later. Mrs. Roosevelt at once took Mr. 
Roosevelt's daughter Alice to her heart, and 
from that time to this the two have been as 
mother and daughter. 

Theodore Roosevelt had already produced 
his " Naval War of 1812 " and his "Hunt- 



66 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

ing TrijDs of a Ranchman," both spoken of 
in previous pages. A short while after 
he was married the second time he brought 
out a " Life of Thomas Benton," and a year 
later a "Life of Gouvemeur Morris." In 
addition to this he wrote a number of arti- 
cles for the magazines, and also some short 
stories for young folks. All were well re- 
ceived and added not a little to his literary 
reputation. 

But the desire to be out in the open, to 
roam the prairie and to hunt, was in his 
veins, and again and again he visited his 
ranches in the Bad Lands, and took hunting 
trips in other directions. Sometimes he 
cared little or nothing for the game brought 
down, and at others he went on the hunt 
with great deliberation, for "something 
worth while," as he expressed it. 

How careful he could be on the latter 
occasions is shown by his printed views on 
hunting, in which he discusses the best 
rifles, shot-guns, and pistols to use, the best 
knives to carry, how to dress with comfort, 
and how to follow up game, on horseback 
and on foot, in the open and when in the 
woods or in the short brush. He has also 




/; 



\/^-V«>*-t-<-<2^ /%--»-Tl-^-7<Z--^:<^- 



THEOBOBE BOOSEVELT 6T 

told US much about the habits of the beasts 
and birds that he has hunted, showing that 
he followed the sport intelligently and not 
in the haphazard fashion of many who go 
out merely to get a big bagful of game. 

Hunting was not all fun in those days. 
We have already related how Theodore 
Roosevelt was caught in a heavy hail-storm. 
At another time he and his companions were 
caught in a three-days' rain-storm, diu-ing 
which the wind blew a hurricane. They 
were miles away from the ranch home, and 
it was utterly impossible to move in any 
direction . 

" Reckon we are booked to stay here," said 
one of the cowboys, a fellow from the South. 
" It's a right smart storm, and it's going to 
stay by us." And stay by them it did, until 
the party were almost out of provisions. 
They got what shelter they could in some- 
thing of a hollow overhung with trees and 
brush, but this was not very satisfactory, 
and all were soaked to the skin, and the 
blankets in which they rolled themselves at 
night were both wet and muddy. 

"Teddy Roosevelt didn't like that wet- 
ting, and I know it," one of the cowboys 



68 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

has said since. "But he didn't grumble 
near as much as some of the others. We 
had to take our medicine, and he took his 
like a man." 

There were no elk in the immediate vi- 
cinity of Theodore Roosevelt's ranches, nor 
were there many bears or buffaloes. But all 
of these animals were to be met with fmiher 
westward, and the young ranchman had 
been after them during a previous year's 
hunting while on a trip to Montana and 
Wyoming. 

At that time the destination of the party 
was the Bighorn Mountains, which were 
reached only after a painful and disheart- 
ening journey over a very uncertain Indian 
trail, during which one of the ponies fell into 
a washout and broke his neck, and a mule 
stuck fast in a mud-hole and was extricated 
only after hours of hard work. 

"It was on the second day of our jom^ney 
into the mountains that I got my first sight 
of elk,'' says Mr. Roosevelt. The party was 
on the trail leading into a broad valley, 
moving slowly and cautiously along through 
a patch of pine trees. When the bottom of 
the valley was gained, Mr. Roosevelt saw a 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 69 

herd of cow ellv at a great distance, and soon 
after took a shot at one, but failed to reach 
his mark. 

"I'm going after that herd," he said. 
And as soon as the party had pitched camp, 
he salHed forth in one direction, while his 
foreman, Merrifield, took another. 

As Theodore Roosevelt had supposed, the 
elk had gone off in a bunch, and for some 
distance it was easy to follow them. But 
further on the herd had spread out, and he 
had to follow with more care, for fear of 
getting on the wrong trail, for elk tracks 
ran in all directions over the mountains. 
These tracks are there to-day, but the elk 
and the bears are fast disappearing, for 
ruthless hunters have done their best to ex- 
terminate the game. 

After passing along for several miles, 
Theodore Roosevelt felt he must be drawing 
close to the herd. Just then his rifle hap- 
pened to tap on the trunk of a tree, and in- 
stantly he heard the elk moving away in new 
alarm. His hunting blood was now aroused, 
and he rushed forward with all speed, but 
as silently as possiljle. By taking a short 
cut, the yoimg ranchman managed to come 



70 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

up beside the running elk. They were less 
than twenty yards away, and had it not been 
for the many trees which were on every side, 
he would have had an excellent shot at them. 
As it was he brought low a fine, full-grown 
cow elk, and hit a bull calf in the hind 
leg. Later on he took up the trail of the 
calf and finished that also. 

Of this herd the foreman also brought 
down two, so that for the time being the 
hunters had all the meat they needed. But 
Theodore Roosevelt was anxious to obtain 
some elk horns as trophies of the chase, and 
day after day a watch was kept for bull elk, 
as the hunters moved the camp from one 
place to another. 

At last the long-looked-for opportunity 
arrived. Three big bulls were seen, and 
Roosevelt and his man went after them with 
all possible speed. They were on foot, and 
the trail led them over some soft ground, 
and then through a big patch of burnt 
timber. Here running was by no means 
easy, and more than once both hunters 
pitched headlong into the dirt and soot, 
until they were covered from head to foot. 
But Theodore Roosevelt was bound to get 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 71 

the elk, and kept on until the sweat was 
pouring down his face and neck. Shot 
after shot was fired, and all three of the 
animals were wounded, but still they kept 
on bounding away. 

" One is down ! " shouted Roosevelt at last. 
And the new^s proved true ; the smallest of 
the bulls had rocked unsteadily for a few 
seconds and gone to earth. Then on and on 
after the remaining game sped the hunters, 
panting and sweating as before. 

" The sweat streamed down in my eyes and 
made furrows in the sooty mud that covered 
my face, from having fallen full length down 
on the burnt earth," writes the dauntless 
hunter, in relating this story. " I sobbed 
for breath as I toiled at a shambling trot 
after them, as nearly done out as could well 
be." 

But he did not give up ; and now the elk 
took a turn and went downhill, with Theo- 
dore Roosevelt pitching after them, ready to 
drop from exhaustion, but full of that grit to 
win out which has since won the admiration 
of all who know the man. The second bull 
fell ; and now but one remained, and this 
dashed into a thicket. On its heels went 



72 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

the daring hunter, running the chance of 
having; the elk turn on him as soon as 
cornered, in which case, had Roosevelt's 
rifle been empty, the struggle for life on 
both sides would have been a fierce one. 

In the midst of the thicket the hunter had 
to pause, for the elk was now out of sight, 
and there was no telling what new course 
had been taken by the game. At a distance 
he saw a yellow body imder the evergreen 
trees, and, taking hasty aim, fired. When he 
came up, he was somewhat dismayed to learn 
that he had not brought down the elk, but a 
black-tail deer instead. In the meantime, 
the elk got away, and it proved impossible 
to pick up the trail again. 

There is a valuable lesson to be learned 
from this hunting trip, and one that all 
young readers should take to heart. It 
shows what sticking at a thing can accom- 
plish. Mr. Roosevelt had determined to get 
at least a portion of that game, no matter 
what the labor and hardship inyolved. 
Many a hunter would have given up in dis- 
gust or despair after the first few shots were 
fired and it looked as if the elk were out of 
range and intended to keep out. But this 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 73 

determined young man did not give np thus 
easily. Hard as was that run up hill and 
down, and regardless of the tumbles taken, 
and that he was so tired he could scarcely 
stand, he kept on until two elk were 
brought down, and it was firmly settled 
that the third could not be captured. 

The way to accomplish anything in this 
life is to stick at it. Theodore Roosevelt 
understood this truth even when he went 
to college, for in the Harvard journal of 
which he was an editor he wrote, speaking 
of foot-ball practice, " What is most neces- 
sary is that every man should realize the 
necessity of faithful and honest woYk^every 
afternoon^ He put "every afternoon" in 
italics himself, and he meant that every foot- 
ball player who hoped to win in the inter- 
collegiate foot-ball games should stick at it 
until he had made himself as perfect a 
player as possible. A victory worth gaining 
is worth working for, and usually the hard- 
est-earned victories are the sweetest. 



74 AMEBIC AN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER VIII 

Bringing down a Grizzly Bear — Back to New 
York — Appointed a Civil Service Commissioner 
— The Work of the Commission 

It was while in the Bighorn Mountains 
that Theodore Roosevelt got his first shot 
at a bear. He had been wanting such a 
chance for a good many years, but up to 
that date the bears had kept well out of 
his sight. 

In his writings he has said much about 
bears, both common and grizzly, and told of 
their habits, and how they have been tracked 
down and shot at various times of the year. 
He holds to the opinion that the average 
bear would rather run away than fight, yet 
he tells the story of how one bear faced the 
hunter who had shot him, and gave the man 
one blow with his powerful paw that proved 
fatal. 

One day his companion of the hunt came 
riding in with the carcass of a black bear 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 75 

killed in a network of hollows and ravines 
some miles from their present camp. 

" The hollows are full of bear tracks," 
said Merrifield. " I am sure, if we go up 
there, we'll get one or more black bears and 
perhaps a grizzly." 

" Then let us go by all means," responded 
Theodore Roosevelt. And no time was lost 
in moving to the new locality. 

The hunters had been out nearly all of 
the next day, when, on returning through 
the forest toward nightfall, Roosevelt came 
across the footmarks of a large bear. He 
tried to follow them, but night closed in on 
him, and he had to return to camp. That 
very night the bear came around the camp, 
looking for something to eat. 

"Let us try to bring him down," cried 
Roosevelt, seizing his rifle, while his com- 
panion did the same. But outside it was 
pitch dark. 

" Do you see him ? " questioned Merri- 
field. 

"No." 

" Neither do I." 

" Listen." 

Both listened, and at a distance heard the 



76 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

bear lumbering off slowly through the ^yoods. 
They went forward a short distance, then 
came to a halt. 

"We'll have to give it up for the pres- 
ent," said Theodore Roosevelt. " But I am 
going to have him, sooner or later, if the 
thing is possible." 

Early the next morning both of the hunt- 
ers sallied forth and discovered that the bear 
had been at the carcasses of some game left 
in the forest. The tracks were fresh. 

" He has been here, no doubt of it," said 
Merrifield. " Shall we wait for him to come 
again ? " 

" We might as well," was the answer. 
" He'll get hungry again, sooner or 
later." 

So the pair sat down to watch. But the 
bear was shy, and kept his distance. Then 
it grew dark once more, so that but little 
could be seen under the trees. 

"He knows enough to keep away," said 
Roosevelt's companion. 

" Hark ! " was the reply and both strained 
their ears. There was a faint crackling of 
twigs, and they felt certain it was the bear. 
But it was too dark to see anything; so 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 77 

both shouldered their rifles and walked back 
to camp. 

Here was another illustration of Theodore 
Roosevelt's method of sticking at a thing. 
Two days had been spent in trying to get 
that bear, and yet he did not give up. On 
the following morning he sallied forth once 
more, as full of hope as before. 

The bear had been at the carcass again, 
and the trail was now one to be followed 
with ease. 

" I'm going to hunt him down to his 
lair," said Theodore Roosevelt, and stalked 
off with his companion beside him. Soon 
they were again deep in the woods, walking 
perhaps where the foot of white man had 
never before trod. Fallen trees were every- 
where, and over these they often had to climb. 

" Getting closer," whispered Roosevelt's 
companion, and pointed to some fresh claw 
scratches on the bark of fallen trees. 

They now moved forward as silently as 
Indians, sure that the bear could not be far 
off. Suddenly Merrifield dropped on his 
knee as if to take aim. Roosevelt sprang 
to the front, with rifle raised. The bear 
was there, standing upright, only a few 



78 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

paces away. Without hesitation Theodore 
Roosevelt fired. His aim was true, and the 
great beast fell with a bullet straight be- 
tween the eyes. The leaden messenger had 
entered his brain, and he died with scarcely 
a struggle. 

" The whole thing was over in twenty 
seconds from the time I caught sight of the 
game," writes Mr. Roosevelt, in his book 
*' Hunting Trips on the Prairies " (Part II 
of " Hunting Trips of a Ranchman"). " In- 
deed it was over so quickly that the grizzly 
did not have time to show fight at all or 
come a step toward me. It was the first I 
had ever seen, and I felt not a little proud 
as I stood over the great brindled bulk which 
lay stretched out at length in the cool shade 
of the evergreens. He was a monstrous 
fellow, much larger than any I have seen 
since, whether alive or brought in dead by 
hunters. As near as we could estimate he 
must have weighed about twelve hundred 
pounds." 

There is a bear story for you, l^oys. And 
the best of it is, it is every word true. In 
later j^ears Theodore Roosevelt brought 
down many more grizzlies, but I doubt if 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 79 

he was as proud of them as he was of that 
first capture. 

While Theodore Roosevelt was spending 
a large part of his time in hunting and in 
literary work, and in studying political 
economy, Grover Cleveland's first term as 
President came to an end, and Benjamin 
Harrison was inaugurated to fill the office 
of Chief Magistrate. 

At that time the question of Civil Service 
was again being agitated. Theodore Roose- 
velt was a warm advocate of the merit 
system, and knowing this, President Harri- 
son appointed him, in 1889, a Civil Service 
Commissioner, and this office he held for six 
years, until his resignation in 1895. When 
Benjamin Harrison's term of office was up, 
and Grover Cleveland was reelected to the 
Presidency, it was thought that Roosevelt 
would have to go, but his friend, the newly 
elected President, wished him to remain as 
a commissioner, and he did so for two years 
longer, thus servmg both under a Republican 
and a Democratic administration. 

To some of my young readers the term 
Civil Service, as applied here, may be a bit 
perplexing. For the benefit of such let me 



80 AMERICAN boys" LIFE OF 

state tliat civil service here applies to the 
thousands of persons who work for the 
government, such as post-office clerks, letter 
carriers, clerks in the various departments 
at Washington, like the Treasury, the Con- 
gressional Library, the Government Printing 
Office, the War Department, and the hundred 
and one other branches in which Uncle Sam 
needs assistance. 

For seventy or eighty years these various 
positions had been under what is commonly 
called the " spoils system." " To the victor 
belong the spoils," had been the old motto, 
which generally meant that the party hap- 
pening to be in power could do as it pleased 
about dealing out employment to those 
under it. A worker might have been ever so 
faithful in the discharge of his duties, but if 
the administration was changed, he ran the 
risk of losing his position without any notice. 

Statesmen of both great political parties 
had long seen the injustice of the spoils 
system, but few cared to take the matter up 
for fear of offending their political friends. 
But as matters grew worse, those who were 
honest said they would stand such a system 
no longer, and they began to advocate the 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 81 

merit plan, whereby each worker for our 
government should stand on his merit, so 
that he could not be removed from his posi- 
tion without just cause. This merit system 
is in operation to-day and is a most excel- 
lent thing, only becoming dangerous when 
extended too far. 

There were two other commissioners 
besides Mr. Koosevelt on the Commission, 
but all worked together in harmony, al- 
though in many moves taken Mr. Roosevelt 
was the leader. About this work he has 
written a notable essay called " Six Years 
of Civil Service Reform," in which he re- 
views much of the work done. In this 
essay, among many other things, he says : — 

" No republic can permanently endure 
when its politics are corrupt and base ; and 
the spoils system, — the application in politi- 
cal life of the degrading doctrine that to the 
victor belong the spoils, — produces corrup- 
tion and degradation. The man who is in 
politics for the offices might just as well be 
in politics for the money he can get for his 
vote, so far as the general good is con- 
cerned." Certainly wise words and well 
worth remembering. 



82 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

The work of the Commission was by no 
means easy, and the members were often 
accused of doing some things merely to ben- 
efit their own particular party or friends. 
Politicians of the old sort, who wanted 
everything they could lay hands on, fought 
civil service bitterly, and even those who 
might have been expected to help often 
held back, fearing they would lose their 
own popularity. Yet on the other hand, 
some members of Congress upheld the Com- 
mission nobly, and when President Garfield 
was assassinated by a half-crazy office-seeker 
many more came forward and clamored to 
put public offices on the merit system by all 
means. 

Part of the work of the Commission was 
to prosecute the head of any bureau or de- 
partment where an employee had been dis- 
charged or had suffered without just cause. 
Such cases came up in large numbers and 
were prosecuted with all the vigor of which 
the Commission were capable. 

"We were not always successful in these 
trials," says Mr. Roosevelt. " But we won 
out in the majority of cases, and we gave 
the wrong-doing such a wide publicity that 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 83 

those who were guilty hesitated to repeat 
their actions." And he goes on to add 
that during his term of service not over one 
per cent, of those who worked for Uncle Sam 
were dismissed purely for political reasons. 
This was certainly an excellent record, and 
our government will do well to maintain 
such a high standard in the future. 

To give a further idea of the work re- 
quired in the way of examinations for posi- 
tions under our government, let me state 
that during the year from July 1, 1890, to 
July 1, 1891, 5251 applicants were ex- 
amined for the departments service, 1579 
for the customs service, 8538 for the postal 
service, 3706 for the railway mail service, 
making a total of nearly 20,000, of which 
about 13,000 passed and the balance failed. 
Since our war with Spain, the work of the 
government has been vastly increased, and 
the places to be filled every year run up 
into figures that are startling. 

One of the best and wisest acts of the 
Commission was to place the colored em- 
ployees of the government on an equal foot- 
ing with the white employees. In the past 
the colored employees had occupied their 



84 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

places merely through the whim or good- 
will of those over them. Now this was 
changed, and any colored man who could 
pass the examination, and who was willing 
to attend strictly to his labor, was as safe in 
his situation as anybody. 



THEODORE EOOSEVELT 85 



CHAPTER IX 

A Trip to the Shoshone Mountains — Caught in a 
Driving Snow-storm — Back to Work — Resigna- 
tion AS Civil Service Commissioner 

Notwithstanding the great amount of 
labor involved as a Civil Service Commis- 
sioner, Theodore Roosevelt did not forego 
the pleasures of the hunt, and in 1891 he 
made an extended trip to the Shoshone 
Mountains in Wyoming, going after elk and 
such other game as might present itself. 

On this trip he was accompanied by his 
ranch partner, a skilled shot named Fer- 
guson, and two old hunters named Woody 
and Hofer. There was also in the party a 
young fellow who looked after the pack- 
horses, fourteen in number. 

The start was made on a beautiful day in 
September, and the party journeyed along 
at a gait that pleased them, bringing down 
everything that came to hand and which 
could be used as meat. Two tents were 



86 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

carried, one for slieltering their packs at 
night and the other for sleeping purposes. 

In his book called "The Wilderness 
Hunter," Mr. Roosevelt has given many of 
the details of this grand hunt, which he says 
was one of the most exciting as well as most 
pleasm-able undertaken. With an interest 
that cannot be mistaken, and which betrays 
the true sportsman at every turn, he gives 
minute descriptions of how the tents were 
erected, how everything in camp was put in 
its proper place, and how on wet days they 
would huddle around the camp-fire in the 
middle of the larger tent to keep warm and 
dry. He also tells how the packs on the 
horses were adjusted, and adds that the 
hunter who cannot take care of his outfit 
while on the hunt, or who must have all his 
game stalked for him, is a hunter in name 
only; — which is literally true, as every 
genuine sportsman knows. 

The young Civil Service Commissioner 
went out garbed in a fitting hunting cos- 
tume, consisting of a buckskin shirt, with 
stout leggings, and moccasins, or, when occa- 
sion required, alligator-leather boots. Heavy 
overcoats were also carried and plenty of 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 87 

blankets, and for extra cold nights Theodore 
Roosevelt had a fur sleeping-bag, in which, 
no doubt, he slept " as snug as a bug in a 
rug." 

The horses of a pack-train in the wild 
West are not always thoroughly broken, 
and although the majority rarely do any- 
thing worse than lag behind or stray away, 
yet occasionally one or another will indulge 
in antics far from desired. This was true 
on the present occasion, when at different 
times the pack-beasts went on a ''shindy" 
that upset all calculations and scattered 
packs far and wide, causing a general alarm 
and hard work on the part of all hands to 
restore quietness and order. 

For two days the hunters pushed on into 
the mountains with but little signs of game. 
Then a rain-storm set in which made the 
outlook a dismal one. 

" Going to have a big storm," said one of 
the old hunters. 

" Never mind, we'll have to take it as it 
comes," was Mr. Roosevelt's philosophical 
answer. "We can't expect good weather 
every day." 

It was almost noon of that day when all 



88 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

lieard the call of a bull elk, echoing over the 
hills. The sound came from no great dis- 
tance, and in the face of the rain, Theodore 
Roosevelt and the hunter named Woody set 
off on foot after the beast, who was still 
calling as loudly as ever. 

It was not long before the hunters could 
hear the bull plainly, as he pawed the earth, 
a challenge to another bull who was answer- 
ing him from a great distance. 

" We are gettin' closer to him," said 
Woody. "Got to go slow now, or he'll 
take alarm and be off like a flash." 

The timber was rather thin, and the 
ground was covered with moss and fallen 
leaves, and over this the pair glided as 
silently as shadows, until Woody declared 
that the bull was not over a hundred yards 
away. 

" And he's in a tearing rage, on account 
of that other bull," he added. "Got to 
plug him fair and square or there will be 
trouble." 

Without replying to this, Theodore Roose- 
velt took the lead, keeping eyes and ears 
wide open for anything that might come to 
hand. Then through the trees he caught 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 89 

sight of the stately horns of the elk, as he 
stood with head thrown back, repeating his 
call in trumpet-like tones. 

As the hunters came closer, the elk faced 
around and caught sight of his human en- 
emies. Up went his antlers once more, as 
if to defy them. 

" He's coming ! " shouted Woody. And 
scarcely had he spoken when Theodore 
Roosevelt took aim and fired at the animal. 
There was a snort and a gasp, and the elk 
turned to run away. Then Roosevelt fired 
a second shot, and over went the monarch 
of the forest in his death agony. It was a 
fine bit of game to bring down, the antlers 
having twelve prongs. The head was cut 
off and taken back to camp, along with a 
small part of the best of the meat. 

After that the forward march was re- 
sumed in the face of a sweeping rain that 
wet everybody to the skin. On they went 
imtil, just as the rain ceased, they reached 
a bold plateau, overlooking what is called 
Two-Ocean Pass, a wild and wonderful 
freak of nature, surrounded by lofty moun- 
tains and watered by streams and brooks 
flowing in several directions. Far up the 



'JO AMERICAN liOYS^ LIFE OF 

uiountams could be seen the snow-drifts, 
wliile lower down were the heavy forests 
and underbrusli, the haunts of the game 
they were seeking. 

In this Wonderland Theodore Roosevelt 
hunted to his heart's content for many 
days — bringing down several more elk and 
also a fair variety of smaller game. It was 
now growing colder, and knowing that the 
winter season was close at hand, the hunters 
decided to strike camp and return homeward. 

The movement was made none too soon. 
The snow was already filling the air, and 
one morning, on coming from his tent, 
Theodore Roosevelt found the ground cov- 
ered to a depth of a foot and a half. To 
add to his discomfort the pony he was rid- 
ing began to buck that day and managed to 
dislocate his rider's thumb. But Theodore 
Roosevelt stuck to him and showed him who 
was master; and after that matters went 
better. The snow continued to come down, 
and before the end of the journey was 
reached, at Great Geyser Basin, the hunters 
almost perished from the cold. 

Such pictures as the above give us some 
idea of the varied life that Tlieodore Roose- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 91 

velt has led. Even at this early age — he 
was but thu'ty-three years old — he had 
been a college student, a traveller, an author, 
an assemblyman, a ranchman and hunter, 
and a Civil Service Commissioner. He had 
travelled the length and breadth of Europe 
and through a large section of our own 
country. He had visited the palaces of 
kings and the shacks of the humble cow- 
boys of the far West, he had met men in 
high places and in low, and had seen them 
at their best and at their worst. Surely 
if " experience is the school wherein man 
learns wisdom," then the future President 
had ample means of growing wise, and his 
works prove that those means were not 
neglected. 

As already mentioned, when Grover 
Cleveland became President a second time, 
he requested Theodore Roosevelt to retain 
his place on the Civil Service Commission. 
This was a practical illustration of the 
workings of the merit system, and it made 
for Mr. Cleveland many friends among his 
former political enemies. By this move- 
ment the workings of the Commission were 
greatly strengthened, so that by the time 



92 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Theodore Koosevelt resigned, on May 5, 
1895, the Commission had added twenty 
thousand places filled by government em- 
ployees to those coming under the merit 
system. This number was larger than any 
placed under the system before that time, 
and the record has scarcely been equalled 
since. 

"He was a fighter for the system, day 
and night," says one who knew him at that 
time. " He was enthusiastic to the last 
degree, and had all sorts of statistics at 
his fingers' ends. If anybody in the gov- 
ernment employ was doing wrong, he was 
willing to pitch into that person regardless 
of consequences. Some few politicians 
thought he was a crank on the subject, 
but the results speak for themselves. Some 
politicians, who wanted the old spoils 
system retained, were often after him like 
a swarm of angry hornets, but he never got 
out of their way, and when they tried to 
sting, he slapped them in a way that soon 
made them leave him alone. And more 
than that, he was very clever in the way 
that he presented his case to those repre- 
sentatives and senators who imderstood the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 93 

real value of Civil Service reform. He 
made them appreciate what he and his 
fellow-commissioners were trying to do, 
and when the Commission was attacked in 
Congress it always had, as a consequence, a 
support that could not be easily overthrown." 

When Theodore Roosevelt resigned, Presi- 
dent Cleveland wrote as follows to him : — 

"You are certainly to be congratulated 
upon the extent and permanency of civil 
service reform methods which you have so 
substantially aided in bringing about. The 
struggle for its firm establishment and recog- 
nition is past. Its faithful application and 
reasonable expansion remain, subjects of 
deep interest to all who really desire the 
best attainable public service." It was high 
praise for the retiring commissioner, and it 
was well deserved. 



94 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER X 

Appointed Police Commissioner of New York City 
— Corruptness of the Department — Strenuous 
Efforts to make Matters Better — A " Dry " 
Sunday — Enforcing the Tenement House Law 
AND Other Measures 

During the time that Theodore Roose- 
velt was a Civil Service Commissioner there 
were several important political changes 
made in New York City. 

In the past there had been a great deal 
of what is familiarly called "-'machine poli- 
tics," and matters had been going from bad 
to worse. Bnt now there was an upward 
turn by the election of William S. Strong 
to the office of mayor. Mr. Strong was a 
man of high character, and was elected by a 
vote that combined the best elements of all 
the political parties. 

It was at a time when New York City 
was in urgent need of reform. Those in 
power were doing but little to stop the 
corruption that was stalking abroad upon 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 95 

every hand. Bribes were given and taken 
in nearly all departments, clerks were being 
paid large salaries for doing practically noth- 
ing, and contracts were put out, not to those 
who could do the best w^ork, but to those 
who would pay the political tricksters the 
most money for them. 

The record of the police department was 
perhaps the blackest of the lot. It was to 
this department that the citizens looked for 
protection from crime, yet it was known 
that many in the department winked at all 
sorts of vice, providing they were properly 
paid for so doing. Saloons and worse resorts 
were kept open in defiance of the law, and 
wickedness flaunted itself in the face of the 
public in a manner that was truly shocking. 
Occasionally a private citizen would try to 
do something to mend matters, but his com- 
plaint was generally "pigeon-holed," and 
that would be the end of the matter. The 
rottenness, as it was well called, extended 
from the highest places in the department 
to the lowest, so that it was said not even 
a policeman could secure his appointment 
without paying several hundred dollars for 
it, and this he was, of course, expected to 



96 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

get back by blackmailing those who lived 
or did business on his beat. And get it 
back the policeman would, even if he had 
to make an Italian fruit dealer pay him a 
dollar a month for having a stand on the 
sidewalk, where the walk was supposed to 
be free from obstruction. 

When William Strong came into office, 
the first thing he did was to cast his eyes 
about him for reliable men who might aid 
him in purifying the city. He already knew 
of Theodore Roosevelt's work as an assem- 
blyman and a Civil Service Commissioner. 

" Mr. Roosevelt is just the man to take the 
office of Police Commissioner and put the 
department on an honorable basis," said 
the newly elected mayor, and he lost no 
time in tenderino; the office to Mr. Roose- 
velt. The tender was accepted, and Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was sworn into his new 
position on May 24, 1895. 

The appointment of Mr. Roosevelt to the 
office of Police Commissioner was a great 
shock to nearly the entire police department. 
He was known for his sterling honesty, and 
it was felt that he would not condone crime 
in any shape or form. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 97 

"There will be a grand shaking up," said 
more than one. " Just you wait till he gets 
to the bottom of things. He'll turn the 
light on in a way that will make more than 
one officer tremble in his boots." 

On the Board with Mr. Roosevelt were 
Andrew D. Parker, Avery D. Andrews, and 
Frederick D. Grant, the latter the son of 
former President Grant. Theodore Roose- 
velt was chosen president, and the Board 
lost no time in getting to work. 

" The new Board found the department in 
a demoralized condition," says Mr. Roose- 
velt, in his report on the matter. " A recent 
grand jury had investigated the records of 
many officers, and many indictments had 
been found; 268 vacancies existed in the 
department, and 26 officers, including one 
inspector and five captains, were under sus- 
pension on account of indictment for crime." 
This was truly a sad state of affairs, and a 
horrible example to the other large cities of 
our Union. 

The Commissioners went to work with a 
will, and Theodore Roosevelt was the lead- 
ing spirit in every move made. Every 
branch of the police department was given 



98 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

an overhauling, and those who would not do 
their duty were promptly dismissed, while 
minor offences were met with heavy fines. 
By an act of the legislature the force of men 
was increased to eight hundred, to keep pace 
with the growth of the metropolis. The men 
who were particularly faithful in the dis- 
charge of their duties were rewarded by 
honorable mention, engrossed certificates, 
medals of honor, and by pi'omotions. More 
than this, they were given to understand that 
if they did their duty faithfully they need 
not fear trouble from those over them, no 
matter what changes were made. No officer 
was allowed to accept blackmail money from 
those lower in the service ; and above all, 
no politics were to interfere Mdth the fair 
and square running of the whole depart- 
ment. 

It was a gigantic task, and it cannot be 
said that it was totally successful, for the 
opposition in some quarters was strong. 
More than once Mr. Roosevelt was threat- 
ened with violence, but, as when an assem- 
blyman, he paid but scant attention to these 
mutterings. 

His habits of personally investigating 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 99 

matters still clung to him, and it is well 
remembered how he went around at odd 
hours of the day and night, and on Sundays, 
seeing if the policemen were really doing 
their duty. There had been a boast that all 
policemen were at their posts at night. Mr. 
Roosevelt went out once and found just two 
out of an even dozen where they should be. 
Then began that "shaking up" that has 
resulted in better police service in New York 
to this day. 

The effect of the new vigor in the police 
department was felt in many other ways. 
There was a tenement-house law regarding 
buildings which were unfit for human habi- 
tations. New York City was crowded with 
such buildings, but nobody had ordered them 
torn down, because either nobody wanted 
to bother, or the owners paid blackmail 
money to keep them standing for the rent 
they could get out of them. 

" Those tenements must come down," 
said Theodore Roosevelt. 

" If you order them down, the owners will 
fight you to the bitter end," said another 
officer of the department. 

'^ I don't care if they do. The houses are 



100 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

a menace to life and health. They are 
filthy, and if a fire ever started in them, 
some would prove regular traps. They have 
got to go." And shortly after that about a 
hundred were seized, and the most destroyed. 

The enforcement of the Sunday liquor law 
was anotlier thing that occasioned great sur- 
prise during Mr. Roosevelt's term as Police 
Commissioner. In the past, saloons had 
been almost as wide open on Sundays as on 
week days. On account of the cosmopolitan 
character of the population it was thought 
that to close up the saloons on Sundays 
would be impossible. But the police force 
was given strict orders, and on one Sunday 
in June, 1895, New York City had the first 
"dry" Sunday that it could remember in 
many years. 

This "dry" Sunday provoked a new 
storm of opposition, especially from many 
of foreign birth, who were used to getting 
liquor as easily on that day as on any other. 
More threats were made against the vigor- 
ous commissioner, and on two occasions 
dynamite bombs were placed in his desk, 
evidently with the hope that they would ex- 
plode and blow him to pieces. But the bombs 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 101 

were found in time, and no damage was done, 
and Theodore Roosevelt paid scant attention 
to them. 

After that he was attacked in a new way. 
Some of the politicians laid traps for him 
whereby they hoped to bring discredit to his 
management of the department. The fight 
grew very hot and very bitter, and he was 
accused of doing many things, " just for the 
looks of them," rather than to benefit the 
public at large. But he kept on his way, 
and at last the opposition were silenced to 
such an extent that they merely growled 
behind his back. 

For many years a large number of shift- 
less and often lawless men, and women too, 
were attracted to the metropolis because of 
the " Tramps' Lodging Houses " located 
there. These resorts were continually filled 
by vagrants who would not work and who 
were a constant menace to society at large. 

" We must get rid of those lodging houses," 
said Mr. Roosevelt. " They simply breed 
crime. No respectable man or woman, no 
matter how poor, will enter them." 

" But we'll have to have some sort of shel- 
ter for the poor people," said others. 



102 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

" To be sure — for those who are deserv- 
ing. The others should be driven off and 
disco"uraged," answered Mr. Roosevelt. And 
one by one the tramps' lodging places were 
abolished. In their place the Board of 
Charities opened a Municipal Lodging House, 
where those who were deserving were re- 
ceived, were made to bathe, and given proper 
shelter and nourishment. 

A story is told that, during the excitement 
attending the closing of saloons on Sunday, 
a friend came to Mr. Roosevelt and told 
about hearing some saloon-keepers plotting 
to harm him. 

" What can they do ?" demanded the Po- 
lice Commissioner. 

" I am afraid they can do a good deal," 
was the answer. " Each of those men has 
a barkeeper who has been in jail for various 
crimes. They may attack you some dark 
night and kill you." 

" Perhaps I won't give them the chance," 
answered the man who had been on many 
a dangerous hunt in the wild West. " If 
they can shoot, so can I." 

"■ But they may sneak up behind you and 
knock you out," insisted the visitor. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 103 

" Well, if they do that, I shall have died 
doing my duty," was the calm answer 
made by the future hero of the Rough 
Riders. 



104 AMERICAN JBOF.S' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XI 

Appointed First Assistant Secretary of the 
Navy — The Condition of Affairs in Cuba — 
Preparing for War — Theodore Roosevelt's 
Resolve 

While Theodore Roosevelt was serving 
as Police Commissioner of the city of New 
York, William McKinley ran for the Presi- 
dency of the United States the first time 
and was elected. 

The yomig commissioner was a firm up- 
holder of McKinley, for he did not believe 
in " free silver " as it was called, but in 
"sound money," which meant that in the 
future, as in the past, all national indebted- 
ness should be made payable in gold, instead 
of in gold and silver, as many desired. 

As soon as the new President was in- 
augurated, March 4, 1897, he appointed 
Hon. John D. Long to be Secretary of the 
Navy. Mr. Long knew Theodore Roose- 
velt well, and also knew of the '' History of 
the Naval War of 1812," which the energetic 
author and commissioner had written. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 105 

" He is just the man we need here," said 
Mr. Long to President McKinley. "He 
has made a study of the navy, and he is not 
afraid of work," and without further delay 
Theodore Roosevelt was asked to resign his 
position in the metropolis and come to 
Washington, where he was duly installed 
as First Assistant Secretary of the Navy. 

In his new position, certainly a high one 
for such a young man to occupy, Mr. Roose- 
velt had much to do. As first assistant, 
nearly the whole responsibility of the real 
workings of the department fell upon his 
shoulders. He took up these responsibil- 
ities manfully, and how well he succeeded 
in the work, history has abundantly proved. 

" It was Roosevelt's work that made 
Dewey's victory at Manila possible," one 
who knew of the inner workings of the 
department has said, and another has said 
that the victory off Santiago Bay was also 
due in part to Roosevelt's watchfulness over 
the ships that took part in that conflict. 

At Washington the Assistant Secretary 
found an era of extravagance equal to that 
which he had discovered in New York. 
The Navy Department was paying dearly 



106 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

for almost everything it bought, and many 
hiburers and others were drawing high 
wages for doing little or no work. Against 
this Theodore Roosevelt set his face uncom- 
promisingly, so that inside of a year the 
actual saving to our government was twenty- 
five per cent. "When it is remembered that 
the Navy Department spends each year mill- 
ions of dollars, something of what such a 
saving means can be realized. 

For many years our country had been at 
peace with the whole world, but now a war 
cloud showed itself on the horizon, scarcely 
visible at first, but gradually growing larger 
and larger. Those at Washington watched 
it with great anxiety, wondering if it would 
burst, and what would be the result. 

Cuba had been fighting for liberty for 
years. It was under Spanish rule, and the 
people were frightfully oppressed. To Spain 
they paid vast sums of money and got but 
little in return. Money that should have 
gone into improvements — that should have 
supplied good roads and schools — went into 
the pockets of the royalty of Spain. When a 
Cuban tried to remonstrate, he could scarcely 
get a hearing, and this state of affairs went 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 107 

from bad to worse until, in sheer desperation, 
the Cubans declared war on the mother- 
country, just as in 1776 our own nation 
threw off the yoke of England. 

As my young readers know, Cuba lies 
only a short distance from the southeast 
coast of Florida. Being so close, it was but 
natural that our people should take an in- 
terest in the struggle at hand. Everybody 
sympathized with the Cubans, and some 
made offers of assistance. Then, when 
many Cubans were on the verge of starva- 
tion, we voted to send them relief in the 
way of something to eat. 

The :,ction of the United States was 
viewed with suspicion by Spain. The peo- 
ple of that country were certain we wanted 
to help Cuba only in order to " gobble her 
up afterward," as the saying went. Such 
was not our intention at all, and total 
Cuban liberty to-day testifies to that fact. 

Not knowing how far matters might go, 
President McKinley and his advisers deemed 
it Avise to prepare for the worst. This 
meant to put the army and navy on the 
best possible footing in the least possible 
time. 



108 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

It was felt that should war come, it 
would be fought largely on the sea, and no- 
body realized this more than did Theodore 
Roosevelt. He Avas active day and night 
in the pursuit of his duty, seeing to it that 
this ship or that was properly manned, and 
this fortification and that put in proper 
order to resist attack. Our ships were in 
all parts of the world, on the Atlantic and 
the Pacific, in the far north and the far 
south, in European waters and Hong Kong 
Harbor. Each had to be supplied with 
coal and ammunition and with provisions. 
Those that were " out of commission ," that 
is, laid up, generally for repairs, vrere put 
into commission with all speed. A thousand 
contracts had to be inspected, judged, and 
passed upon. Outwardly the Navy Depart- 
ment at Washington was moving along as 
peacefully as ever, internally it was more 
active than it had been at any time since 
the great Civil \yar. 

" War may come at any moment," said 
Mr. Roosevelt to his friends. "And if it 
does come, there is nothing like being pre- 
pared for it." 

About one thing Theodore Roosevelt was 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 109 

very particular. In the past, gun practice 
on board of oiu^ war-ships had been largely a 
matter of simply going through the motions 
of handling the guns. 

" This will not do," said the Assistant Sec- 
retary. " Our gunners will never make 
good marksmen in that way. They must 
practise with powder and ball, shot and 
shell." And after that they did. Such prac- 
tice cost a round sum of money, and the 
department was criticised for its wasteful- 
ness in this direction ; but the worth of it 
was afterward proven when Commodore 
Dewey sank the Spanish ships in Manila 
Bay, and the Atlantic Squadron likewise 
destroyed the enemy's ships that were trying 
to escape from Santiago Harbor. 

In those days at Washington, Theodore 
Roosevelt made a warm, personal friend of 
Dr. Leonard Wood. Dr. Wood was an army 
surgeon, who had seen considerable active 
service while under General Miles in the 
campaigns against the Apache Indians. Mr. 
Roosevelt has himself told how he and Dr. 
Wood would often, after office hours, take 
long walks out of the city, or play foot-ball, 
or go snow-skating when the weather per- 



110 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

mitted, and during such pastimes their con- 
versation was invariably about the situation 
in Cuba, and what each intended to do should 
war break out. 

" If war actually comes, I intend, by hook 
or by crook, to get out into the field," said 
Dr. Wood. 

" I shall go with you," answered Theo- 
dore Roosevelt. " No more office work for 
me if there is any fighting to be done." 

In the meantime, as already mentioned, 
matters in Cuba were rapidly approaching 
a crisis. Spain could not send a large 
enough army to the island to conquer the 
people while they were at liberty to roam 
through the jungles and mountains, and so 
began to drive men, women, and children 
into various cities or camps, where they 
were kept, under penalty of death if they 
tried to escape. Thus large numbers were 
torn from their homes, and sent miles and 
miles away, with no money, and nothing 
with which to support themselves. Food 
became scarce and high in price, and many 
grown folks and children were literally 
starved to death. 

To help these starving people the Con- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 111 

gress of our country voted to expend fifty 
thousand dollars from the national treasury. 
This excited Spain more than ever, and we 
were accused of trying to prolong the rebel- 
lion. But the deed was done, and many 
would have had us go farther, and recog- 
nize Cuba as a free and independent nation. 
This desire was overruled on the ground 
that our government could not with propri- 
ety endanger the peace of the world by 
taking so serious a step at that time. But 
the strength of popular sympathy with an 
oppressed people was shown by the fact 
that many Americans at grave personal risk 
went to Cuba, and joined the army in one 
capacity or another, fighting as bravely as 
if for their own individual rights. 



112 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XII 

Destkuction of the Maine — Dewey's Victory — 
Theodore Roosevelt becomes a Soldier — 
Organizing the Rough Riders — Various Men 
IN THE Command 

" The Maine has been blown up ! " 

Such was the awful news which startled 
this whole nation in the middle of February, 
1898, and which caused the question of war 
with Spain to crystallize without further 
deliberation. 

The Maine was a battleship of large size, 
that had been sent down to the harbor of 
Havana, Cuba, on nothing more than a 
friendly visit. The explosion that destroyed 
this noble vessel occurred about ten o'clock 
at night, and was heard for miles around. 
Soon after the explosion, the war-ship began 
to sink, and over two hundred and fifty 
sailors and officers lost their lives. 

The entire nation was now aroused, and 
many wanted to go to war witli Spain imme- 
diately. But the Spaniards professed to be 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 113 

ignorant of the cause of the explosion, and 
said it must have come from the inside of 
the ship and not the outside. Without delay 
a Board of Inquiry was established, and it 
was settled that the explosion had come 
from the outside, probably from a mine 
set by the Spaniards in Havana Harbor. 

"This means war, and nothing but war," 
said even the wisest of our statesmen. And 
so it proved. Without hesitation the whole 
nation sprang forward to uphold the admin- 
istration, and in a few days Congress passed 
an appropriation of fifty millions of dollars 
"for national defence." It may be added 
that this appropriation was passed unani- 
mously, regardless of party politics and 
regardless of the differences which, in the 
past, had existed between the North and the 
South. 

We have already learned what had been 
done to prepare the navy for the conflicts 
to follow. Now there was even more work 
on hand, to get the army into shape for ser- 
vice in Cuba and on other foreign soil. 

The regular army at that time consisted 
of about twenty-five thousand men, scattered 
all over the United States, — on the frontier, 



114 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

at the Indian reservations, and along the 
sea-coasts. Many of these troops were 
hurried to camps in the southeast portion 
of our country, leaving but small garrisons 
in the far West. 

It was realized by President McKinley 
that our regular army could not cope with 
the troubles at hand, and soon came a call 
for one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
volunteers. These volunteers were to come 
from the various States and Territories, each 
furnishing its proportion of soldiers accord- 
ing to its population. These soldiers were 
quickly collected and marched to the vari- 
ous state camps, there to be sworn into the 
service of the United States. 

The "war fever" was everywhere, and 
many private parties began to raise com- 
panies, while all sorts of independent com- 
mands. Grand Army, Confederate Veterans, 
Italian-American Guards, German Singing 
Societies, Colored Guards, and the like, 
offered their assistance. Even the colleges 
caught the fever, and men went forth from 
Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and other insti- 
tutions of learning to battle for Uncle Sam. 

The first blow struck at Spain was a most 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 115 

effective one. Commodore, afterwards Ad- 
miral, Dewey was at Hong Kong when the 
trouble began, and he was directed by the 
War Department to hunt for a Spanish fleet 
somewhere among the Philippine Islands 
and engage it. On Sunday, May 1, came 
the news that the gallant commodore had 
reached Manila Bay, fought the Spanish 
fleet and sunk every hostile ship, and come 
out of the battle with all of his own ships 
safe and not a single man killed ! 

" Hurrah ! that shows what our navy can 
do ! " cried many citizens. And they were 
justly proud. In the past, foreign nations 
had looked with something akin to scorn on 
our vessels and the way they were manned. 
Now such criticism was silenced ; and this 
result was, in a certain measure, due to the 
work of Theodore Roosevelt, while First 
Assistant Secretary to Secretary Long. 

But Theodore Roosevelt was no longer in 
the department. He resigned and closed 
his desk, saying, " My duty here is done ; 
my place is in the field." With such an 
active nature, it was impossible for him to 
remain a private citizen while stern war 
was a reality. 



116 AMERICAN BOrs' LIFE OF 

In his own excellent work, " The Rough 
Riders," and in his sworn testimony before 
the Commission of Investigation of the 
Spanish War, Mr. Roosevelt has given us 
graphic pictures of how the First United 
States Volunteer Cavalry, commonly called 
the Rough Riders, happened to be organized, 
and what it tried to do and did, and this 
testimony is supplemented by many who 
know the facts, and who took part in the 
battles which made the organization famous 
throughout the length and breadth of our 
land. 

At first Theodore Roosevelt thought to 
attach himself to the militia of New York, 
but found every place taken. 

" Let us try one of my Massachusetts regi- 
ments," said Dr. Wood. And this was also 
done, with a like result. 

" We could fill every place, did we want 
five times as many men," said one colonel. 
" Everybody seems crazy to go." This shows 
how truly patriotic our nation can become 
when the occasion arises for going to the 
front. 

While Theodore Roosevelt and his in- 
timate friend were wondering what to do 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 117 

next, Congress authorized the raising of 
three cavalry regiments, to be composed 
of the daring riflemen and riders of New 
Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Indian 
Territory. 

" There, that will just suit me," said 
Theodore Roosevelt. " I know many of 
those men, and I know we can raise a regi- 
ment in no time." 

And without delay he sought out Secre- 
tary of War Alger and told him of his 
hopes. 

" I am perfectly willing to give you com- 
mand of one of those regiments," said the 
war secretary. " I know you are something 
of a rough rider yourself, and a good marks- 
man to boot." 

This was certainly flattering, but Theo- 
dore Roosevelt's head was not turned by 
the offer. 

" I don't think I am quite ready to take 
command," said he. "I know that I can 
learn, and that quickly, but it will be pre- 
cious time wasted." 

"Well, what do you wish, Mr. Roose- 
velt?" asked the Secretary of War, curi- 
ously. 



118 AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 

" What I should like best of all is for Dr. 
Wood to become colonel of the regiment, and 
for myself to become lieutenant-colonel." 

"Very well; I will consult President 
McKinley on the subject," said the secre- 
tary. The request was granted, and in a 
few days more Colonel Wood and Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Roosevelt sallied forth to 
organize the Rough Riders, and fit them for 
service in Cuba. 

Leaving his family, which now consisted 
of his wife and six children, the lieutenant- 
colonel made his way to San Antonio, 
Texas, where the regiment was to gather. 
Previous to going he spent a full week in 
Washington, seeing to it that arrangements 
were completed for supplying the command 
with uniforms, carbines, saddles, and other 
articles which were needed. This was in 
itself quite a task, for all of the depart- 
ments at the Capitol were more than busy, 
and it took a great amount of " hustling " 
to get what one wanted. 

As soon as it was known that Theodore 
lioosevelt was going to help organize the 
Rough Riders, offers from everywhere began 
to pour in upon him. Not alone did the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 119 

men of the plains and ranch who knew him 
want to go, but likewise his old college 
chums at Harvard, These men, of wealth 
and good families, were wilHng to serve in 
any capacity, if only they could be mustered 
in. There were crack base-ball and foot-ball 
players, yachtsmen, all-round athletes and 
men of fortune, all mixed in with hunters, 
cowboys, men who had served as sheriffs in 
the far "West, where fighting was an every- 
day occurrence, some policemen who had 
served under Roosevelt when he was a 
Police Commissioner in New York, and 
even some Indians. Nearly every nation- 
ality was represented when it came to 
blood, and the men ran from the best edu- 
cated to the most ignorant. 

But there were three tests which every 
man, private or officer, had to pass. He 
had to be in perfect health, he had to know 
how to ride, and he had to know how to 
shoot. To these conditions were afterward 
added two more : each man had to learn 
his duty as quickly as he could and had to 
learn to obey his superiors. 

In such a collection of soldiers it was but 
natural that the real leaders soon asserted 



120 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

themselves. Several of the captains had 
served in the United States army before ; 
two were former famous western sheriffs ; 
and all were full of that pluck and energy 
which is bound to command success. 

In this regiment were some men who had 
hunted with Theodore Roosevelt on more 
than one occasion. They knew him well 
and loved him, and did their best to serve 
him. To them he was really their com- 
mander, although they officially recognized 
Colonel Wood. They were preeminently 
*' Roosevelt's Rough Riders," and the great 
majority of the people of our nation call 
them such to this day. 

The majority of the command were rather 
young in years, although a few were of 
middle age. But all were tough and hardy, 
either from athletic training or from years 
spent in the open air of the great West. 
Some of them could ride almost any kind 
of a horse, and " bronco busting," that is, 
breaking in a wild steed, was common sport 
among them. Some had spent nearly their 
entire lives in the saddle, and some could 
exhibit remarkable skill with their firearms 
while riding at full speed. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 121 

When the men began to come into San 
Antonio, they found but little in the way of 
accommodations. But soon tents and blank- 
ets were procured. It is said that good 
shoes were scarce, but some of the soldiers 
did not mind going without them. The 
regiment was supplied with good rifles, but 
the cartridges were not made of smokeless 
powder, which was a bad thing, for smoke 
sometimes enables an enemy to locate the 
shooter, when, if smokeless powder were 
used, nothing could be seen. Each man 
had also a six shooter, and was to have had 
a machete, but the long knives did not 
come. 

" On to Cuba ! " was the cry. And it was 
taken up every day. The Rough Riders 
were eager for the fray. Alas ! little did 
many of them realize that, once in the 
"bloody isle," they would never see their 
native land again. 



122 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XIII 

In Camp at Tampa — To Port Tampa in Coal 
Cars — Theodore Roosevelt's Quick Move to 
OBTAIN A Transport — The Wait in the Har- 
bor — Off for Cuba at Last 

That the path of the soldier is not always 
one full of glory can easily be proven by 
what happened to the Rough Riders when, 
late in May, they were ordered to Tampa, 
Florida, where a part of the army was 
gathering in readiness to be transported to 
Cuba. 

" We were just wild to go," says one of 
the number, in speaking of that time. 
" We were tired of staying at San Antonio 
and drilling day in and day out, rain or 
shine. I guess everybody felt like hiu-rah- 
ing when we piled on to the cars. 

"Colonel Roosevelt — he was only Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel then — had six troops under 
him, and he did all he could to make the 
boys comfortable. But the cars were 
crowded, and travelling was so slow it took 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 123 

US four days to reach Tampa. Then when 
we got there, we found everything in confu- 
sion. The raih^oad yard was chock-a-block 
with freight and passenger cars, and no- 
body was there to tell us where to go or 
where to find provisions. 

" The boys were hungry and tired out, 
for sleeping on the railroad had been almost 
out of the question. There wasn't a sign 
of rations in sight, and it looked as if we 
would have to stay hungry. But Teddy 
Roosevelt just put his hand into his own 
pocket and bought us about all we wanted. 
Then he scurried around and found out 
where we were to go, and in another 
twenty-four hours we were settled in 
camp." Even in camp the Rough Riders 
had to put up with continued discomfort. 
The weather was warm, flies and mosquitoes 
were numerous, and the drinking water was 
not of the best. The rations were plain, 
but the Rough Riders did not mind this, for 
many of them had often fared worse on the 
plains. 

Although it was now a regular military 
camp that the Rough Riders were in, it was 
rather difficult to control some of the men, 



124 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

especially those who had been used to an 
unusually rough life. But they were held 
in check as much as possible by then- com- 
manders, and on Sunday all attended a 
church service held by Chaplain Brown, 
who spoke to them in a manner that soon 
claimed their attention. 

After but a few days spent in the camp 
at Tampa, within walking distance of many 
of the fashionable hotels, the command was 
ordered to Port Tampa, there to board a 
transport to sail for some destination not 
revealed. But the soldiers knew they were 
going to Cuba, to fight the Spaniards and 
to aid in freeing Cuba, and again there was 
a loud hurrahing. 

But immediately on top of this came one 
of the hardest blows the Rough Riders had 
to endure, and one which some of them will 
probably never forget. 

As already stated, volunteers from all 
over our nation were anxious to get into the 
fight, and it was no easy matter for the 
authorities at Washington to decide who 
should go and who should be left behind. 

" Only eight troops of seventy men each 
of the Rough Riders will embark on the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 125 

transport," was the order sent to Colonel 
Wood. More than this, it was ordered that 
the command should be on board of the 
transport by the following morning, other- 
wise it could not go. 

" Four troops to be left behind ! " ex- 
claimed Theodore Roosevelt. 

" Too bad," returned Colonel Wood. 
" Every man expects to go, and wants to 
go." 

It was a hard task to tell some of the 
men that they could not go. Mr. Roosevelt 
tells us that many of them actually cried at 
the news. They were willing to go under 
any conditions. They did not want any 
pay, they did not want any pensions if they 
were disabled, and some, who had money, 
even offered to pay their way, just for the 
privilege of fighting for Uncle Sam. After 
such an exhibition, let nobody dare to say 
that true patriotism is dying out in this 
country. 

But orders were orders, and as quickly as 
possible those to go were selected. Then 
the command marched to the railroad tracks 
to await the cars. None came, and they 
were given orders to march to another 



126 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

track. This tliey also did ; but still no train 
appeared. 

" We'll be left, that is certain," said Colo- 
nel Wood, anxiously. 

" It certainly looks like it, unless we 
march the boys down to the port." 

" Here comes a train ! " was the cry. 

It was a train, but only of empty coal 
cars. It was about to pass by when the 
Rough Riders halted it. 

" What's the matter with riding down to 
the port in the coal cars ? " was the question 
asked by several. 

" Good enough ! " came the answer. " Into 
the cars, boys, and don't waste time ! " And 
into the dirty coal cars they piled, and per- 
suaded the engineer of the train to take them 
down to Port Tampa as quickly as he could. 

If there had been bustle and confusion 
up at Tampa, it was far worse at the port. 
Everybody was in a hurry, and ten thousand 
soldiers stood around, not knowing what to 
do with their baggage, and not knowing 
which of the many transports to board. 

At last the Rough Riders were told to 
go aboard the Yucatan, and started to do 
so. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 127 

" The Yucatan f " exclaimed a member 
of another command. " That is our trans- 
port." 

"No, she has been allotted to us," put in 
an officer belonging to still another com- 
mand. 

" How many men will she hold ? " ques- 
tioned a captain of the Rough Riders. 

" About a thousand." 

" Then she can't take the three com- 
mands." 

Theodore Roosevelt overheard this talk, 
and at once made up his mind that it would 
be a question of what command got aboard 
of the transport first. Without the loss of 
a moment he ran back to where his men 
were in waiting. 

" Double-quick to the dock ! " was his or- 
der. And forming quickly, the troops made 
their way to the wharf with all possible 
speed. In the meantime. Colonel Wood had 
gone out to the transport in a steam-launch 
and gotten the vessel to come up to the 
wharf. On board went the Rough Riders 
pell-mell, and not a minute too soon. 

" This is our boat ! " cried an officer, as he 
came up with his command a minute later. 



128 AMEBIC AN boys' LIFE OF 

" Sorry for you, sir, but it is our boat," 
was Colonel Wood's firm answer. 

Then the third command loomed up, and 
a three-handed dispute arose. But the 
Rough Riders remained aboard of the trans- 
port, taking four companies of another com- 
mand in with them. 

I have told of the particulars of this 
affair to show my young readers what was 
needed at this time, and how well Theodore 
Roosevelt performed his duties. He had 
been a soldier and officer only a few weeks, 
yet he realized that army life on paper and 
army life in reality were two different things. 
He felt that an officer must do much besides 
leading his men in the field : that he must 
look after them constantly, see that their 
health was provided for, see that they got 
their rations, see that transportation was 
ready when needed, and even see to it that 
some were kept away from the temptations 
of drink, and that they did not quarrel 
among themselves. 

When going on board of the transport, 
the Rough Riders were supplied with twelve 
days' rations each. The most of the food 
was good, but the canned beef was very 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 129 

bad, just as it was found to be very bad in 
many other quarters, and it made a great 
number sick. Added to this, somebody had 
forgotten to issue salt to the soldiers; so 
much had to be eaten without this very 
necessary seasoning. 

"But we took matters good-naturedly," 
said one of the number, in speaking of the 
trip that followed. "Many of the boys 
were out for a lark, and when they growled, 
they did it good-naturedly. We had all 
sorts of men, and all sorts of nicknames. 
An Irishman was called Solomon Levi, and 
a nice young Jew Old Pork Chop. One 
fellow who was particularly slow was called 
Speedy William, and another who always 
spoke in a quick, jerky voice answered to 
the hail of ' Slow-up Peter.' One cowboy 
who was as rough as anybody in the com- 
mand was christened The Parson, and a fine, 
high-toned, well-educated college boy had to 
answer to the name of Jimmy the Tramp. 
Some of the boys could sing, and they 
organized the Rough Rider Quartette ; and 
others could play, and they gave us music 
on the mouth harmonicas and other instru- 
ments they had managed to smuggle along." 



130 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

The War Department had expected to send 
the troops to Cuba without delay, but now 
came in a report that some Spanish war-ships 
were hovering around, ready to sink the 
transports as soon as they should show 
themselves, and for five days the vessels 
remained in Port Tampa Harbor, imtil it 
was ascertained that the report was untrue. 

Those five days were important to Theo- 
dore Roosevelt and to the men under him. 
Every day the young officer spent a certain 
portion of his time in studying military tac- 
tics and in drilling his soldiers. Much had 
still to be learned, and the officers had their 
school of instructions as well as did those 
under them. 

The weather was broiling hot, and some 
were already suffering from fever or its 
symptoms. Fortunately bathing was good, 
and many went in once or twice a day. 
Bathing in the ocean was great sport to 
some of the plainsmen who had never seen 
anything larger than a river or creek, and 
they frolicked around like children, and got 
up races, w^ith prizes for the best swimmers. 

At last came the orders for the trans- 
ports to set sail for Cuba. They numbered 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 131 

thirty-two in all, including a schooner which 
was towed along filled with drinking water, 
for water must be had, and that was the 
only place where it could be stowed. To 
protect the transports from a possible attack 
by the enemy, they were accompanied by 
five war-ships at first, and later on by four- 
teen. All told, there were on the trans- 
ports eight hundred officers and sixteen 
thousand enlisted men. Of the commands, 
the most were from the regular army, the 
volunteers numbering but three — the Rough 
Riders, the Seventy-first New York Infantry, 
and the Second Massachusetts Infantry. 



132 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XIV 

Lite on the Traxsport — The Landing at Dai- 
quiri — The March to Siboney — The Trail 

THROUGH the JuNGLE — ThE SkIRMISH AT La 
GUASIMA 

While the army was preparing to invade 
Cuba, matters so far as they concerned the 
navy had been moving along rapidly. Com- 
modore Dewey had sunk the Spanish fleet 
in Manila Bay; Havana and the adjacent 
coasts were being blockaded, so no ships 
could pass in or out without running the 
risk of capture ; and a large fleet of war-ships 
under Admiral Cervera, of the enemy's navy, 
had been " bottled \\^ " in Santiago Harbor. 

It had been decided that the United 
States troops should be landed on the south- 
east coast of Cuba, not far from the entrance 
to Santiago Bay, and from that point should 
make an advance on Santiago, Avhich is the 
second city of importance in the island. 

Day after day the flotilla of transports 
kept on its way, spread out in a broad 



THEODOBE BOOSEVELT 133 

column during the time it was liglit, and 
coming in close together during the night. 
The war-ships hovered near, and at night 
swept the ocean with their powerful search- 
lights, rendering a surprise by the enemy 
impossible. 

The trip to the southeast coast of Cuba 
lasted seven days. It was very hot, even 
for this time of the year, and those who 
could, slept on deck during the voyage. 
There was but little to do, and when not 
drilling, the men took it easy in the shade, — 
sleeping, chatting, or playing games. Some- 
times they would talk of the future and 
wonder how much of real fighting lay before 
them. 

"We didn't know even then where we 
were going," said one, in speaking of the 
trip. " I don't believe Wood or Roosevelt 
knew either. First we thought it might be 
Havana, then we imagined it might be Porto 
Rico, but when we turned southward and ran 
around the eastern end of the island, we all 
knew we wxre bound for Santiago." 

As the transports swept up toward the 
mouth of Santiago Bay, they came within 
sight of the American war-ships that were 



134 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

keeping Admiral Cervera's fleet "bottled 
up" in the harbor. A shout of recognition 
went up, and one of the bands struck up a 
patriotic air that was truly inspiring. 

The landing of the Rough Riders and 
many other commands was made at Dai- 
quiri, a small settlement on the coast east of 
Santiago Harbor. The Yucatan got closer to 
the shore than most of the other transports, 
and the men lost no time in disembarking, 
taking with them two Colt's automatic guns 
and a dynamite gun of which they had be- 
come possessed. As there had not been trans- 
ports enough, only the officers' horses had 
been brought along. These were thrown 
into the water and made to swim ashore. 
Theodore Roosevelt had two horses, but one 
was drowned. 

It was important that the landing should 
be guarded, and the war-ships sent in some 
shot and shell to dislodge any Spaniards 
who might be in the vicinity. But none 
showed themselves, and soon nearly all of 
the soldiers were ashore, either at Daiquiri 
or at a landing a short distance farther 
westward. No enemy was in sight, and 
the only persons who appeared were some 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 135 

Cubans, soldiers and civilians, who wanted 
but one thing, food. 

The Rough Riders had been put into a 
brigade commanded by General S. B. M. 
Young. There were two of these brigades, 
and it is worth noting that they formed a 
division under the command of Major-Gen- 
eral Joseph Wheeler, who had in years 
gone by fought so gallantly on the side of 
the Confederacy. Now, as brave as of old, 
he was fighting for Old Glory, the one ban- 
ner of the North and the South alike. 

As the Rough Riders landed, they were 
marched up the beach, and here they went 
into temporary camp, — an easy matter, since 
each soldier carried his outfit with him, or, 
at least, as much as he could get of what 
belonged to him. Theodore Roosevelt had 
his weapons and ammunition, a mackintosh 
and a toothbrush, certainly much less than 
he had carried even when roughing it in 
the Bad Lands of the West. 

As soon as the larger portion of the army 
was landed. General Lawton — he who was 
afterward to give his life for his flag in the 
Philippines — threw out a strong detach- 
ment on the Santiago road to the westward, 



186 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

and also detachments on the roads to the 
north and east. 

"On to Santiago!" was the cry. And 
many were for pushing forward without 
delay. But the transports had still to un- 
load their baggage, and word did not reach 
the Rough Riders to move on until the 
afternoon of the day after landing. 

It was a rocky, uneven country, with 
much brushwood and jungles of trees and 
vines. It had rained, but now the sun 
came out fiercely, and the Rough Riders 
(riders in name only, for only the officers 
were on horseback) suffered greatly through 
being clad in winter uniform. 

" It was a tough and tiresome march," 
said one who was there. " The air just 
quivered with heat, and many of the boys 
felt like throwing half of their clothing 
away. Whenever we reached a drinking 
place, the crowd would swarm around for 
water like a lot of bees. 

" General Lawton had his outposts pretty 
well advanced. Our commander, old Gen- 
eral Wheeler, was just as anxious to make 
a showing, and he ordered General Young 
to push on with the Rough Riders and some 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 137 

other troops. So away we went, with 
Colonel Wood at our head, and Lieutenant- 
Colonel Roosevelt in command of one 
squadron and Major Brodie in command 
of the other. In some spots the road was 
frightful, full of mud-holes, with big land 
crabs crawling around in all directions, and 
with the trailing vines full of poisonous 
spiders. We didn't know but that the 
woods might be full of Spaniards, and we 
were on the alert to give the Dons as good 
as they sent, should they show themselves." 

By nightfall the Rough Riders reached 
the little village of Siboney without having 
met the enemy. Here they went into camp 
in the midst of a heavy thunder-storm in 
which every soldier and officer was drenched 
to the skin. Fires could scarcely be lighted, 
and it was not until the storm had partly 
cleared away that the cooks could prepare 
anything to eat. Surely being a soldier 
was not all glory after all. 

It had been learned that a portion of the 
Spanish army was less than four miles 
away, and General Young was ordered by 
General Wheeler to move forward at day- 
break and engage the enemy. Colonel 



138 AMEBIC AN boys' LIFE OF 

AYood received orders to move the Roua:h 
Riders by a trail over a hill, beyond which 
the country sloped toward the bay and the 
city of Santiago. 

The first encounter with the enemy 
occurred at a place called La Guasima (or 
Las Guasimas), so called on account of trees 
of that name growing in the vicinity. Here 
the Spaniards had rifle-pits and mounds of 
earth to shelter them and had likewise the 
sugar-house of a plantation. They had been 
watching for the coming of the A'tnericanos 
eagerly, and were determined to give our 
soldiers a lesson not to be forgotten. They 
knew that our army had not been in active 
warfare for years, and felt certain that they 
would soon be able to make the ''paper" 
soldiers retreat. 

The Rough Riders found the way led up 
a steep hill, and the pace w^as so fast that 
before the firing line was reached some men 
fell out from exhaustion. Theodore Roose- 
velt was at the head of the first squadron 
and did his best to urge those under him 
forward. There was an advance guard, led 
by some men under Sergeant Hamilton 
Fish, and Captain Capron's troop, and soon 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 139 

a crash of firearms notified all that a fight 
was on. 

Orders were at once issued to fill the 
magazines of the gmis, and this was done. 
Then, while some troops moved to the left 
of the trail, Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt 
was ordered to take three troops to the 
right. Here the jungle was heavy, and no 
sooner had the Rough Riders advanced than 
the Spaniards opened fire upon them. In 
speaking of the opening of this fight, Mr. 
Roosevelt himself writes : — 

" The effect of the smokeless powder 
(used by the enemy) was remarkable. The 
air seemed full of the rustling sound of the 
Mauser bullets, for the Spaniards knew 
the trails by which we were advancing, and 
opened heavily on our position. But they 
themselves were entirely invisible. The 
jungle covered everything, and not the 
faintest trace of smoke was to be seen in 
any direction, to indicate from whence the 
bullets came." 

It was certainly a trying time — to stand 
up and be shot at without being able to 
return the compliment. Roosevelt and all 
the other leaders knew that this would not 



140 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

do, and at a great risk they continued to 
advance, until some Spaniards were at last 
discovered across a valley to the right of 
where the troops under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Roosevelt were located. 

" There they are ! " was the cry. " For- 
ward and at 'em, boys ! Down with the 
Dons ! " Without delay some sharpshooters 
fired on the Spaniards, and then the regular 
troops opened up, and at last the Spaniards 
ran from cover. 

Bullets were now flying in all directions, 
and both sides were making their shots tell. 
The Americans had but scant protection, 
and it was not long before a number of 
them fell. Some bullets came close to 
Theodore Roosevelt, and one hit a palm tree 
near where he was standing, filling his left 
eye and ear with the dust and splinters. 
Had that Mauser bullet come a few inches 
closer, the man who was destined to be- 
come the future President of our country 
might have been killed on the spot. 

In the midst of the skirmish — for the 
conflict proved to be nothing more — there 
was a report that Colonel Wood was dead, 
and Theodore Roosevelt took it upon him > 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 141 

self to restore the fighting line of Eoiigh 
Riders to order. But happily the report 
proved false; and a little while after this 
the skirmish came to an end, and both 
Spaniards and Americans betook themselves 
to positions of greater safety. In this 
skirmish, brief as it was, the Rough Riders 
lost eight men killed and nearly forty 
wounded. 



142 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XV 

Along the Jungle Trail — Fording the River — 
Opening of the Battle of San Juan Hill — 
Bravery of the Rough Riders — Personal Ex- 
periences OF Theodore Roosevelt during the 
Battle 

Taken as a whole, the skirmish at La 
Guasima was quite an important one, for it 
showed the Spaniards that our soldiers were 
bound to advance upon Santiago, be the 
cost what it might. 

More than this, it showed that Theodore 
Roosevelt was brave under fire. During 
the skirmish he paid but scant attention 
to his own personal safety. He went wher- 
ever he thought he was needed, and the fact 
that Mauser bullets were flying about in all 
directions did not daunt him. 

" He was about as cool a man as I ever 
saw in a fight," said one old soldier. " He 
did all he could to encourage the men, and 
had a kind word for every man he ran 
across who was wounded. Once, in the 
thickest of the brush, he grabl)ed up a gun 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 143 

and began to shoot with us, and I reckon he 
fired as straight as anybody there, for he 
had had lots of practice wliile hunting." 

The Spaniards had been driven from their 
pits and from the sugar-house of the planta- 
tion, and now took good care to keep out 
of sight. Picket-guards were thrown out 
by the officers of the army, and those who 
had been in the fight took a much-needed 
rest, and looked after the dead and wounded. 
There was certainly a toucliing scene at the 
temporary hospital, where one soldier started 
to sing "My Country, 'tis of Thee," and 
many others joined in. On the following 
morning the dead were buried, the men 
gathering around the one common grave to 
sing " Rock of Ages " in a manner that 
brought tears to the eyes of many. 

From La Guasima the Rough Riders 
moved to the bank of a small stream in the 
neighborhood. Part of the army was ahead 
of them and the rest behind, and for several 
days nothing unusual occurred. But during 
that time General Young caught the fever, 
whereupon Colonel Wood had to take charge 
of the brigade, and Lieutenant-Colonel Roose- 
velt took command of the Rough Riders. 



144 AMERICAX nOYS' LIFE OF 

It was now the end of June, and the 
weather was anything bnt agreeable. AVhen 
the rain did not come down in torrents, the 
sun shone with a glare and a heat that was 
terrific. As said before, the uniforms of the 
Rough Riders were heavy, and much cloth- 
ing had to be cast aside as unfit for use. 
To add to the discomfort, rations that were 
promised failed to appear, so that a good 
square meal was almost unknown. 

" This will not do ; the men must have 
enough to eat, even if I have to buy it for 
them," said Acting Colonel Roosevelt, and 
made two trips down to the seacoast in 
search of beans, tomatoes, and other things 
to eat. Here he was informed that he could 
only buy stuff meant for the officers. 

"All right; I'll buy the things for the 
officers," he answered, and purchased as 
much as they would allow. \Yhen he got 
back, he turned the food over to the officers, 
but saw to it that they gave their men a 
fair share. 

" It was a kindness none of his men ever 
forgot," said a soldier wlio was there. " It 
wasn't an}^ of his business to buy the grub, 
— the commissary department had to supply 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 145 

it free, — but he knew we might starve 
while the department was getting itself 
straightened out and ready to do the right 
thing. Before he went on a hunt for food, 
all we had was salt pork, hardtack, and 
coffee, and some of the stuff wasn't fit to 
put in your mouth." And this testimony 
was the testimony of scores of others. 

The Spaniards were strongly intrenched 
upon the outskirts of Santiago, and as it was 
a rough, hilly country, with many shallow 
streams and much jungle, it was hard for 
the American army to advance. It was 
General Shafter's idea to form a grand semi- 
circle around Santiago, starting from El 
Caney on the north, and running in an 
irregular line to Aguadores on the south. 
Throughout this territory the Spaniards had 
done everything possible to hinder the ad- 
vance of our troops. Barbed wire was 
strung in many directions, and often the 
brushwood would conceal dangerous pit- 
falls, so that any advance had to be made 
with great caution. 

The attack upon the Spanish lines began 
on July 1, and the fighting took place in 
several quarters at once, but was unusually 



146 AMEBICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

heavy at El Caney and at San Juan Hill. 
At El Caney the heroic General Law ton 
was in command, and fought as gallantly as 
he afterward did in the Philippines. Some 
of the charges were terrific, and will ever be 
remembered by those who participated in 
them. 

The Rough Riders struck camp and moved 
along the trail on the last day of June. 
It was as hot as ever, with no sign of rain. 
The trail was filled with troops and provi- 
sion wagons, and the progress, consequently, 
was slow. 

" Let us get into the fight ! " w^as the cry 
heard on every side. " Don't keep us wait- 
ing any longer." 

"Keep cool," said one of the officers. 
" You'll get all the fighting you want soon." 
And so it proved. 

At a little after eight o'clock in the even- 
ing the Rough Riders found themselves on 
El Poso Hill, and here the whole brigade to 
which they were attached went into camp. 

" It wasn't much of a camp," said one 
who was there. " We just threw out a 
strong picket-guard and went to sleep on 
our arms, and glad of it, after that day in 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 147 

the broiling sun. We had had to ford some 
pretty muddy streams, and all of us were 
water and mud up to our knees. But 
everybody was as enthusiastic to fight as 
ever." 

At sunrise the battle opened at El Caney, 
and the Rough Riders could hear the boom- 
ing of cannon. At once all was activity, 
and the men prepared to move ahead at a 
moment's notice. 

Acting Colonel Roosevelt was with Colo- 
nel Wood at the time, and both were listen- 
ing to the roar of the artillery. 

" I wish we could move — " began Colonel 
Wood, when, of a sudden, both he and 
Theodore Roosevelt heard a strange hum- 
ming sound in the air. Then came the 
explosion of a shrapnel shell over their 
heads, and both leaped to their feet. 

" This is getting warm ! " cried Theodore 
Roosevelt, and ran toward his horse, when 
boom ! came another explosion, and one of 
the bullets fell upon his wrist, making, as 
he himself says, " a bump about as big as a 
hickory nut." This same shell, he adds, 
wounded four of the men under him and 
two or three regulars, one of whom lost his 



148 AMEEICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

leg. Certainly another providential escape 
on the part of the future President. 

Without loss of time Theodore Roosevelt 
ordered his troops into the underbrush, and 
here, for the time being, they were safe. 
On account of the smokeless powder they 
used, the Spanish batteries could not be pre- 
cisely located, so our own artillery were at 
a slight disadvantage. 

But now the blood of the Americans 
was fully aroused, and soon came an order 
for a general advance, — something that 
was hailed with wild delight by the Rough 
Riders. 

" Hurrah, now we'll show 'em what the 
Yankees can do ! " was the cry. '' Down 
with the Dons ! Three cheers for Uncle 
Sam ! " 

The Rough Riders had to ford the river, 
and while they were doing this, a balloon 
that had been used for observations came 
down in that vicinity and attracted the 
attention of the Spanish sharpshooters. The 
firing was now heavy on all sides, and many 
a gallant soldier went down to rise no 
more. 

Then came another wait of an hour, dm-- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 149 

ing which the Rough Riders rested in a 
hollow leading up from the river. Again 
there was grumbling. With so much fight- 
ing on all sides, why could they not ad- 
vance ? 

"We'll get our tmni," said Theodore 
Roosevelt. And soon after a staff officer 
dashed up with orders to move forward and 
support the cavalry of the regular army on 
the hills in front. 

" Now to the front ! " was the cry. " Down 
with the Dons ! " And away went troop 
after troop on the double-quick, wdth Acting 
Colonel Roosevelt leading them. Shot and 
shell were hurling themselves through the 
air in all directions, and on all sides could 
be heard the shrieks and groans of the dead 
and the dying. It was a time long to be 
remembered. Men went down in all direc- 
tions, and with them not a few officers. It 
was so hot that Roosevelt's orderly was 
prostrated from the heat and afterward 
died. Roosevelt summoned another Rough 
Rider, and had just finished giving the man 
some orders when the soldier pitched for- 
ward upon his commander, killed by a 
bullet through the throat. 



150 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

As the troops advanced, Theodore Roose- 
velt urged his men forward and told them 
to do their best, to which they responded 
with a cheer. He was on horseback at the 
time, and soon came across a man lying in 
the shade, probably overcome by the heat. 
He started to speak to the Rough Rider 
when a bullet hit the fellow and killed him 
on the spot. 

" I suppose that bullet was meant for me," 
says Mr. Roosevelt, in writing of this inci- 
dent. " I, who was on horseback in the 
open, was unhurt, and the man lying flat 
on the ground in the cover beside me was 
killed." 

The fight had now centred around the 
possession of San Juan Hill, upon which 
was located a Spanish blockhouse. The 
bullets were flying as thickly as ever, when 
Roosevelt was ordered to advance in sup- 
port of another regiment. As the Rough 
Riders reached the spot where the other 
regiment was, they foimd the men lying 
down awaiting orders. 

" I am ordered to support your regiment," 
said Theodore Roosevelt to the first captain 
he met. 



THEODORE BOOSE VELT 151 

" We are awaiting orders to advance," 
answered the captain of the regulars. 

" In my opinion we cannot take these 
hills by firing at them," retm-ned the com- 
mander of the Rough Riders. " We must 
rush them." 

" My orders are to keep my men where 
they are." 

" Where is your Colonel ? " 

"I don't know." 

"Well, if he isn't here, then I am the 
ranking officer, and I give the order to 
charge," came quickly and positively from 
Theodore Roosevelt. 

"Well, sir, — I — I have orders from 
our Colonel — " began the captain of the 
regulars. 

" If you won't charge, let my men pass 
through, sir," cut in the Acting Colonel of 
the Rough Riders, and he ordered his men to 
move to the front. This was too much for 
the regulars, and up they sprang with shouts 
and yells, and Rough Riders and regulars 
went up San Juan Hill together. Roosevelt 
was on horseback as before, but at a barbed- 
wire fence he leaped to the ground, swung 
his hat in the air, and joined his men on foot. 



152 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

The fight was now at its fiercest, aud men 
were being mowed down in all directions. 
But the fever of battle was in the veins of 
all the American soldiers, and nothing could 
stop them. Up the hill they went, loading 
and firing at random, and making as many 
shots as possible tell. The Spaniards were 
in retreat, and soon Old Glory was planted 
in several places. Some of the leading offi- 
cers had been shot, and Theodore Roosevelt 
found himself at one time in command of 
five regiments, and doing his best to keep 
them in military order. Strange as it may 
seem, with bullets flying all around him, he 
remained unharmed, saving for some slight 
scratches which, he tells us, "were of no 
consequence." 

With the top of the hill gained, the 
American soldiers could get a distant 
glimpse of Santiago, several miles away, 
and some wanted to move still farther for- 
ward. But the Spaniards had strong in- 
trenchments to fall back upon, and it was 
deemed best to " let well enousrh alone." 
Accordingly the American line was made 
as strong as possible, and by nightfall the 
battle was at an end, and the Rough Riders 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 153 

were told to hold tlie hill and mtrench, and 
they did so. In the blockhouse they found 
some food belonging to some Spanish officers, 
and upon this tliey feasted after their well- 
earned victory. 



154 AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XVI 

Results of the Fight — Life in the Trenches — 
The Spanish Fleet in Santiago Harbor — 
Another Great Naval Victory — The Rough 
Riders and the Spanish Guerillas 

The fight had been a hard and heavy one. 
The Rough Riders had gone into the engage- 
ment just 490 strong, and of that number 
89 were killed or wounded. The total loss 
to the Americans was 1071 killed and 
wounded. The loss to the Spanish was 
also heavy, but the exact figures will prob- 
ably never be known. 

Utterly tired out with their marching and 
fighting, the Rough Riders intrenched as 
best they could, cared for their wounded 
and dead, and then dropped down to get a 
well-earned rest. The night was misty and 
cold, and many who had been bathed in 
perspiration suffered accordingly. Theo- 
dore Roosevelt had a blanket taken from 
the Spanish, and in this he rolled himself, 
and slept with others of his command. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 155 

At three o'clock in the morning came an 
unexpected alarm. The Spanish skirmishers 
were out in force, trying to drive the Ameri- 
cans back. But there was no heavy attack, 
and presently all became as quiet as before. 

" They'll not give up yet," said one of 
the officers of the Rough Riders. " They 
mean to retake this hill if they can." 

Just at daybreak the Spaniards opened 
the attack on San Juan Hill once more. 
Theodore Roosevelt was resting under a 
little tree when a shrapnel shell burst close 
by, killing or wounding five men of the 
command. He at once ordered the eight 
troops under him to a safer position, where 
the Spanish battery and the sharpshooters 
could not locate them so readily. 

If the fight had been hard, guarding the 
trenches was almost equally so. The sun 
beat down fiercely, and the newly turned 
up earth made many of the Rough Riders 
sick. Added to this, provisions were, as 
usual, slow in arriving. Those in the 
trenches were kept there six hours, and 
then relieved by the others who were 
farther to the rear. 

" Running from the cover of brush to the 



156 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

trenches was no easy matter," says one 
Roug:li Rider who was there. " We had 
dug the trenches in a hnrry, and had no 
passages from the rear leading to them. 
All we could do was to wait for a signal, 
and then rush, and when we did that, the 
Spaniards would open a hot fire and keep it 
up for perhaps fifteen minutes. The sun was 
enough to turn a man's brain, and more 
than one poor fellow caught a fever there 
that proved fatal to him." 

Through the entire day the firing con- 
tinued, but no advances were made upon 
either side. The Americans were waiting 
for reenforcements, and the Spaniards were 
doing likewise. On our side a dynamite 
gun and two Colt's guns were used, but 
with little success. But the Gatling guns 
proved very effective, and caused a great 
loss to the enemy. 

The city of Santiago lies on the northeast 
coast of a large bay of the same name. This 
bay is shaped somewhat like a bottle, with 
a long neck joining it to the Caribbean Sea. 

In the harbor, at the time of the battles 
just described, the Spaniards had a fleet of 
war-ships under the command of Admiral 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 157 

Cervera, an old and able naval commander. 
In the fleet were four large cruisers and two 
torpedo-boats. Three of the cruisers were 
of seven thousand tons burden each, and 
all could make from eighteen to nineteen 
knots an hour. Each carried a crew of 
about five hundred men, and all were well 
supplied with guns and ammunition. 

To keep this fleet "bottled up," our own 
navy had a fleet of its own just outside of 
the harbor, where it had been stationed ever 
since Admiral Cervera had been discovered 
within. The American fleet consisted of 
the cruiser Bi^ooMyn, which was Commodore 
Schley's flag-ship, the battle-ships Texas, 
Iowa, Indiana, and Oregon (the latter having 
sailed all the way from the Pacific coast 
around Cape Horn to get into the fight), 
and the converted yachts Gloucester and 
Vixen. There were also close at hand, but 
not near enough to get into the fight, the 
cruiser Neiu York, Admiral Sampson's flag- 
ship, and several other vessels of lesser 
importance. 

For a long time it had been thought that 
Cervera would try to escape from the harbor, 
in which he could not be reached because of 



158 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

the strong forts that protected the entrance. 
To bottle him up more effectively, the Amer- 
icans tried to block up the harbor entrance 
by sinking an old iron steamboat, the Me?^- 
7'imac, in the channel. This heroic work 
was undertaken by Lieutenant Hobson with 
a crew of seven daring men, but the plan 
failed, for the Merrimac, instead of sinking 
where intended, swung to one side of the 
main channel. 

When it was reported to him that the 
Americans had taken the heights of El 
Caney and San Juan and were strongly 
intrenched in their positions. Admiral Cer- 
vera concluded that Santiago Bay might 
soon become too hot to hold him. The cap- 
ture of the city would be followed by the 
taking of the forts at the harbor entrance, 
and then there would be nothing left for 
him to do but to surrender. 

San Juan and El Caney had been taken 
on Friday, and all day Saturday occurred 
the shooting at long range, as already de- 
scribed. In the meantime the war-ships 
outside of the harbor kept up a close watch 
on the harbor entrance, lying well vout dur- 
ing the day, but coming in closer at night. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 159 

and using their powerful search-lights from 
sundown to sunrise. 

Sunday dawned bright and clear, and for 
the time being all was quiet both ashore and 
afloat. In the trenches the Rough Riders 
and other soldiers were still on guard, doing 
what they could for their wounded, and 
trying to get the rations which were still 
delayed. 

Presently, those on board of the Ameri- 
can fleet noticed a thick cloud of smoke 
hanging over the harbor, coming from the 
funnels of the Spanish war-ships. Then one 
of the enemy's vessels showed itself, quickly 
followed by the others, and all turned west- 
ward, to escape up the coast. 

" The enemy is escaping ! " was the signal 
hoisted. And then one cannon after another 
boomed out, giving the signal to all our 
ships in that vicinity. The booming of the 
cannon was heard away eastward at Siboney, 
whither Admiral Sampson had gone with 
his ship to confer with General Sh after, and 
without delay the JVeiv York raced madly 
back to get into the fight that followed. 

" Remember the Maine ! " was the cry. 
" Down with the SjDanish ships ! Give 'em 



160 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

what Dewey did ! " And this cry, " Give 
'em what Dewey did ! " was heard on every 
hand. 

The first vessel to go down was a torpedo- 
boat, sunk by the Gloucester, and this was 
quickly followed by the sinking of the 
second torpedo-boat. In the meantime the 
larger vessels were pouring in their rain of 
steel upon the Spanish cruisers wdth deadly 
effect, knocking great holes into the ships 
and killing scores of those on board. 

The Spanisli cruiser Teresa was the 
first to succumb to the heavy attack, and 
soon she turned in to shore to save her crew 
from drowning. Then the Oquendo caught 
fire in several places, and burning fiercely 
from stem to stern, she, too, turned in. 

But two ships were now left to Admiral 
Cervera, the Vizcaya and the Colon, and each 
had suffered nnich. Both were doing their 
best to get out of reach of our guns and 
the marvellous accuracy of our gunners. 

" Don't let 'em get away ! " was the cry. 
" Give 'em what Dewey did ! " Forward 
went the war-ships of Uncle Sam, the pow- 
erful Oregon leading, with the Brooklyn and 
Texas not far behind. The rain of steel 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 161 

continued, and at last, burning like her 
sister ships, the Vizcaya turned shoreward, 
and many of her crew leaped overboard to 
save their lives. 

Only the Colon now remained. She was 
still in fair condition, and it was the Span- 
iards' ardent hope to save at least one ship 
from the dire calamity that had overtaken 
them. But this was not to be, and after a 
run of a few miles, during which the Ore- 
gon and Brooklyn continued to pound her 
with shot and shell, the Spanish flag was 
lowered, and the Colon also ran ashore. 

It was assuredly a mighty victor}', a fit- 
ting mate to the great victory won by Ad- 
miral Dewey, and when the news reached 
our country there was such a Fourth of July 
celebration everywhere as will never be for- 
gotten. Twice had our navy met the ships 
of Spain, and each time we had sunk every 
vessel without losing any of our own. More 
than this, while the Spaniards had lost 
many men through shot and fire and drown- 
ing, our total loss was but one man killed 
and a handful wounded. 

The loss of her second fleet was a bitter 
blow to Spain, and many predicted that the 



162 ^iMERlCAN BOYS^ LIFE OF 

war would not continue much longer, and 
this prediction proved correct. 

During the rush made by the Rough 
Riders and our other soldiers, they had gone 
right through several bodies of Spanish gue- 
rillas who were secreted in the trees of the 
jungle. These guerillas, really lawless fel- 
lows belonging to no particular command, 
could not get back into Santiago because of 
the strong American guard at the intrench- 
ments, and consequently they contented 
themselves with remaining out of sight and 
peppering our soldiers whenever the oppor- 
tunity offered. 

" This will not do," said Theodore Roose- 
velt. " They are shooting down our men 
without giving them a chance to fire back. 
We'll have to get after them." And with- 
out delay he sent out a detachment of the 
best Rough Rider shots to be found. These 
sharpshooters searched the jungle back of 
the intrenchments thoroughly, and as a 
result killed eleven of the guerillas and 
wounded many more. After tliat the gue- 
rillas kept their distance, satisfied that the 
Yankees could beat them at their own game. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 163 



CHAPTER XVII 

Devotion of the Rough Riders to Theodore Roose- 
velt — His Kindness to His Men — Last of the 
Fighting — The Truce and Treaty of Peace 

With the defeat of Admiral Cervera's 
fleet, a flag of truce was sent into Santiago 
by the commander of our army, demanding 
the surrender of the city. While these ne- 
gotiations were pending, all fighting came to 
an end, and the Rough Riders had but little 
to do outside of making themselves comfort- 
able and caring for the many who were get- 
ting sick because of the lack of shelter and 
proper food. Food was now coming in more 
rapidly, and soon all were supplied with 
tents and blankets. During this time Theo- 
dore Roosevelt's personal baggage appeared, 
and he celebrated the arrival by treating 
himself to a shave and a change of linen, 
something impossible to do since the fight- 
ing had begun. 

In his own writings, Mr. Roosevelt has 
spoken at great length of the devotion 



164 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

which all of the Rough Riders displayed 
toward him. They were anxious to wait 
on him at all hours of the day and night. 
Some would pitch his tent, others would 
clean his weapons, and still others would go 
hunting and bring in such game as the vi- 
cinity afforded. When ordered to do any- 
thing, there was rarely a grumble. Those 
in the hospital bore their sufferings with 
remarkable fortitude. 

In return for this, Theodore Roosevelt did 
all he could to make life less hard for those 
under him. The game that was brought 
to him he sent to the hospital, that the 
wounded might have proper nourishment ; 
and he either went himself or sent some- 
body to the seacoast, to purchase food 
which the commissary department possessed, 
but wdiich, through lack of organization, it 
was slow in distributing. When no shelter 
was to be had, he slept on the ground with 
his men, and when they had to work on the 
trenches at night, he was up and around 
superintending the labor. 

" He was one of us, and he let us know 
it," was said by one of the Rough Riders. 
" He ate the same food we did, and he was 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 165 

mighty good to the sick and the woimded. 
He paid for lots of things out of his own 
pocket, and I don't believe he has ever asked 
Uncle Sam to pay him back." 

There was no telling how soon the truce 
would come to an end and fighting would 
begin again, and night after night the 
Rough Riders were kept on guard. There 
was a standing order that each fourth man 
should keep awake while the others slept, 
and no matter how dark or rainy the night, 
Theodore Roosevelt tramped around from 
one trench to another, seeing to it that this 
order was obeyed. He also visited the 
intrenchments of other commands, to com- 
pare them and make certain that the grade 
of service was equally high among the 
Rough Riders. This shows distinctly that 
he was a natural-born military commander. 

The truce lasted a week, and while all 
operations were supposed to have come to 
an end, both the Americans and the Span- 
iards spent the time in strengthening their 
positions. At one time the Americans con- 
structed a fah'ly good defence, in which 
they placed two Gatling guns and two auto- 
matic Colt guns, and this was named Fort 



166 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Roosevelt, in honor of the Rough Rider 
commander. 

On the tenth of July the fighting began 
once more, and again the batteries on both 
sides sent shot and shell into the camps of 
the enemy. It was largely fighting at long 
range, and the only Rough Riders who took 
part were those who manned the Colt's 
guns, and a small body of sharpshooters 
stationed in a trench well to the front. 

On the next day the Rough Riders were 
ordered northward, to guard the road run- 
ning from Santiago to El Caney. Here 
some fighting was in progress, and the 
troopers expected to get into battle once 
more. But the skirmish came to an end 
before they arrived, very much to their 
disappointment. 

Hardly had the Rough Riders settled in 
their new position than a storm came up 
which proved to be the heaviest yet experi- 
enced during the campaign. While Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was sleeping in his tent, 
the shelter was blown down and away, and 
all of his personal effects were scattered 
in the mud and wet. As best he could, he 
donned his clothing, saw to it that his men 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 167 

were safe, and then betook himself to a 
kitchen tent, where he finished the sleep of 
that night on a rude table recently taken 
from an abandoned Spanish home in that 
vicinity. 

" On that night it rained cats and dogs 
and hammer-handles," said one of the sol- 
diers afterward. " It was inky dark — 
darker than I have ever known it to be 
anywhere on the plains. The water made 
a muddy pond of the whole camp, and the 
trenches were half filled in no time. Every- 
thing was blown helter-skelter by the fin:i- 
ous wind, and some of our outfits we never 
recovered. In the midst of the confusion 
some fellows reported that the Spaniards 
were trying to break through our lines, but 
the report was false, — the outsiders were 
starving Cubans who had come in looking 
for shelter and something to eat. We gave 
them what we could — which was precious 
little, for we had next to nothing ourselves 
— and then got them to help us get things 
together aorain. One of the Cubans was an 
old man, who could speak a little English. 
He said he had lost two daughters and three 
grandchildren by starvation since the war 



168 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

between Spain and Cuba had started. He 
himself was little more than a skeleton." 

That Theodore Roosevelt was warm- 
hearted enough to look out for other soldiers 
besides those of his own command is proven 
by what took place on the day following the 
bis; storm. Next to the Rous;h Riders were 
located a regiment of Illinois Volunteers. 
Because of the muddy roads and swollen 
streams, they could get no rations, and scant 
as were their own supplies. Colonel Roose- 
velt had the Rough Riders furnish them 
with beans, coffee, and a few cases of hard- 
tack, for which they were extremely grate- 
ful. Later in the day the commander of 
the Rough Riders also got to them part of a 
mule train of provisions. 

The American position had been greatly 
strengthened, and many additional troops 
were now at the front. It was felt that an 
advance upon Santiago would surely result 
in victory, although the losses might be 
large. But the Spaniards were no longer 
in a position to continue the struggle, and 
on July 17 the city formally surrendered. 
The surrendered territory covered many 
miles, and the Spanish soldiers to lay down 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 169 

their arms numbered upward of twenty 
thousand. 

There was great cheering in the American 
trenches when the glad news was brought in, 
and soon Old Glory was planted on every 
height, while the trumpets sounded out 
triumphantly. Possession of Santiago was 
immediate, and in a few hours the Stars 
and Stripes floated from the flagstaff of the 
civil government buildings. Our gallant 
army had won on the land just as om- gal- 
lant navy had won on the sea. The war 
had been, for us, one of triumph from start 
to finish. 

In foreign countries the news was received 
with an astonishment that can scarcely be 
described. After Dewey's wonderful vic- 
tory in Manila Bay, many naval experts 
said that such a fight could not be dupli- 
cated, yet it was duplicated two months 
later off Santiago Bay in a manner that 
left no doubt of American supremacy on 
the sea. Then when it came to fig-htins!: on 
land, our army was designated as " paper " 
soldiers, that is, soldiers on paper or in 
name only, and it was said that their guns 
would be found of little use against the 



170 AMEBIC AN BOYS" LIFE OF 

Mausers of Spain. But this was likewise 
false ; and to-day the army and navy of the 
United States are respected everywhere. 
And more than this, foreign powers have 
come to our country for many of their 
war-ships, asking us to build and equip 
them, and also asking us to make cannon 
and rifles for them. 

While the war was on in Cuba, a part of 
the United States army under General Miles 
was sent to Porto Rico, another island be- 
longing to Spain. Here the inhabitants 
hailed the Americans with delight, and the 
resistance by the Spanish soldiers was only 
half-hearted. 

With the downfall of the navy and Santi- 
ago, Spain knew not what to do next, and 
gladly received the terms of peace offered by 
President McKinley and his advisers. The 
terms were accepted on August 9, and thus 
the short but sharp war came to a termi- 
nation. By the treaty of peace Cuba was 
given her liberty, and Porto Rico and the 
Philippines passed into the possession of 
the United States. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 171 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Last Days in Cuba — The Departure for Home — 
Arrival at Moxtauk — Caring for the Sick and 
Wounded — Presentation to Theodore Roose- 
velt BY his Men — Mustering-out of the Rough 
Riders 

Four days after the surrender of Santi- 
ago the Rough Riders found tliemselves in 
the hills four or five miles back from the 
intrenchments they had occupied during 
the last fight. Other commands were scat- 
tered in various directions, for to let them 
go into the wretched city would have been 
out of the question. Santiago was dirty in 
the extreme ; the fever was there, and hun- 
dreds were on the verge of starvation. 

It was a trying time for everybody, and 
equally so for Theodore Roosevelt, who did 
all in his power, as before, to make his men 
comfortable. When it did not rain, the sun 
came out fiercely, causing a rapid evapora- 
tion that was thoroughly exhausting to the 
soldiers. The locality was not a healthy 



172 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

one, and soon scores of Rough Riders and 
others were down with malaria or fever. 
Doctors and surgeons were scarce, and hos- 
pital accommodations were scanty, and 
again and again did Colonel Roosevelt send 
down on his own account to the seacoast and 
to Santiago for food and medicines of which 
his command were in dire need. He was 
now colonel of the Rough Riders in reality, 
his promotion having been granted to him 
just one week after the heroic charge up 
San Juan Hill. His old colonel, Wood, was 
installed at Santiago as military governor. 
This, for the time being, left Colonel Roose- 
velt in command of the cavalry brigade, no 
small honor to one who had been, but a few 
months before, a stranger to military duties. 
During this time in camp, Theodore 
Roosevelt visited Santiago and the forts at 
the entrance to the harbor, and with the 
pen of a skilled author he has, in one of his 
books, given us vivid pictures of the sights 
to be seen there at that time — the crooked 
streets with their queer shops, the wretched 
inhabitants, the grim and frowning forts, 
all hemmed in by the towering mountains 
and the sea. He likewise tells of his trips 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 173 

to the mountains, and how his companions 
were usually exhausted by the climbing 
done. For one who in his youth had been 
so delicate, he stood the exposure remark- 
ably well, for which he was thankful. 

For some time the authorities at Wash- 
ington did not know what to do with the 
troops in Cuba. It was suggested that they 
move up to higher ground, or to another 
neighborhood. But General Shafter knew, 
and so did all of the officers under him, 
that to keep the army in the island would 
only mean more sickness and death. 

" I will go to the general with a protest," 
said Colonel Roosevelt. And he did so. 
Meanwhile the other head officers drew up 
a letter of protest, and this was signed by 
all, including the commander of the Rough 
Riders. In his own letter Roosevelt pro- 
tested against the treatment of his men 
in the matter of rations, clothing, and hos- 
pital accommodations, and in the other 
letter, called by the officers a Round Robin, 
there was a protest about remaining in Cuba 
longer, with the fever getting worse every 
day. These letters were made public through 
the press of the United States, with the 



174 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

result that the troops were ordered home 
without further delay. 

The Rough Riders left Cuba on August 7, 
just six weeks and a half after landing. 
The time spent in the island had been sliort, 
but to many it seemed an age. None were 
sorry to depart, although sad to think that 
some of the sick had to be left behind. 

The transport used this time was the 
Miami, and Mr. Roosevelt tells us that, 
taken as a whole, the accommodations were 
better than they had been on the Yucatan. 
But on the trip much trouble was had with 
some of the stokers and engineers, who in- 
sisted upon drinking some liquor smuggled 
aboard. 

" I will not permit this," said Colonel 
Roosevelt. And he read the disorderly ones 
a strong lecture and made them give up 
their liquor. After that, as there was much 
grumbling, he set a guard ; and that was 
the end of that trouble. 

The destination of the transport was 
Montauk, on the extreme eastern shore of 
Long Island. The trip took nine days, — 
rather a dreary time to those anxious to 
see their native land once more. When an 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 175 

anchorage was gained, a gunboat came out 
to the transport with the welcome news 
that Spain had agreed to our terms. 

The sick had still to be cared for; yet, 
taken as a whole, the month spent at the 
camp at Montauk was pleasant enough. 
Here Colonel Roosevelt met that part of 
the regiment that had been left behind in 
Florida, and all the stories of the fights had 
to be told over and over again. 

" It was good to . meet the rest of the 
regiment," says Mr. Roosevelt, in his book. 
" They all felt dreadfully at not having 
been in Cuba. Of course those who stayed 
had done their duty precisely as did those 
who went." Which was true ; yet, as he 
adds, those who had been left behind could 
not be comforted. 

Colonel Roosevelt was still in charge of 
the brigade while at Montauk, and much 
of his time was taken up in getting out 
necessary reports, and seeing to it that the 
entire camp was kept in first-class sanitary 
condition. 

" And he was up to the mark," said one 
of those who were there. " He didn't allow 
the least bit of dirt, and everything had to 



176 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

be as shipshape as if we were at West 
Point. And it was a good thing, too, for it 
kept the sickness from spreading." 

The sea-breeze is strong at Montauk, and 
this soon began to tell upon all who were 
sick, putting in them new life and vigor. 
Here every possible attention was given to 
those who were down, so that ere long 
many were up again and as well as ever. 

When he had a little time to himself, 
Theodore Roosevelt would gather a few 
friends around him, and either go to the 
beach to bathe or go off on a long horse- 
back ride. War was to him a thing of the 
past, and he was once more willing to be- 
come a private citizen as of old. 

In those days the camp at Montauk was 
constantly crowded with visitors from New 
York City and elsewhere, who poured in 
upon every train. All of the soldiers ^vho 
had been to Cuba were hailed as heroes, and 
had to tell their stories many times. 

" Every soldier had a crowd following 
him," said one private. " The visitors 
wanted to know how we had fought, how 
we had been treated by the government, 
how things looked in Cuba, and a hundred 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 177 

and one other things. Most of the visitors, 
especially the ladies, wanted our autographs, 
and I had to write mine as many as forty 
times a day. I remember one of the men, 
a cowboy from Oklahoma, couldn't write, 
and he got so upset over this that every 
time somebody asked him for his autograph 
he would run away, saying he had forgotten 
to do something that he had been ordered to 
do. When I and some chums went down 
to New York to look around, all the folks 
stared at us, and many insisted on shaking 
hands and treating." 

The uniforms the Rough Riders had worn 
in Cuba were in rags, and many had boarded 
the transport barefooted. The rags were 
saved as trophies of the occasion, and many 
are still in existence. 

At Camp Wykoff , as the place was called, 
there was a large hospital for the sick, and 
to this many came to do what they could 
for the sufferers, who were now given every 
possible attention. Among the visitors was 
Miss Helen Gould, who had used her ample 
means for the benefit of the sick all through 
the war, and who now continued to play the 
good Samaritan. President McKinley and 



178 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

many of his cabinet likewise visited the 
camp, and saw to it that everything in the 
hospital and out of it was as it should be. 
The sick were presented with the best of 
fruits and other things, and many ladies 
assisted the nurses by reading to the 
patients and by writing letters for them. 

Now that they had nothing to do in the 
shape of fighting, many of the Rough Riders 
were anxious to get back to the wild West. 
Life in an ordinary camp did not suit them, 
and at every available opportunity they in- 
dulged in " horse play," working off many 
practical jokes upon each other. 

One day a report went the rounds that 
a member of another cavalry organization 
could not master a certain horse that had 
been assigned to him. The report was 
true, for the horse was what is called by 
ranchmen a " bad bucker." 

" I think Sergeant Darnell can master 
him," said Colonel Roosevelt. 

He referred to one of the best " bronco 
busters " among the Rough Riders, a man 
who had never yet allowed a steed to get 
the best of him. 

" All right, let Darnell try him," said 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 171) 

others. And a test was arranged for the day 
following. 

At that time Secretary of War Alger was 
in camp, and a great crowd of visitors, 
military men and others, gathered before 
Colonel Roosevelt's quarters to watch the 
contest. At the proper time the vicious 
horse was brought forth, and watching his 
chance, Sergeant Darnell leaped upon his 
back. Then came such a bucking, leaping, 
and prancing as many had never witnessed 
before. 

"He'll be killed!" cried many of the 
ladies. " The horse will have him under in 
another moment." But such fears were 
groundless. Darnell knew exactly what he 
was doing, and in the end the fiery steed 
had to give in, completely conquered. 

On the last Sunday in camp, Chaplain 
Brown delivered an impressive sermon, to 
which all listened with grave attention. 
After he had finished, Theodore Roosevelt 
spoke to the men in a feeling way. 

" I told them how proud I was of them," 
he says. " But warned them not to think 
that they could go back and rest on their 
laurels, bidding them remember that though 



180 AMERICAN BOYS" LIFE OF 

for ten days or so the world would be 
williug to treat them as heroes, yet after 
that time they would find they would have 
to get down to hard work just lil^e any- 
body else, unless they were willing to be 
regarded as worthless do-nothings." This 
was the best possible advice, and it is 
believed that many of the soldiers profited 
by it. 

Before the men were mustered out, they 
treated their beloved commander to a 
genuine surprise. They had had a fine 
bronze of a " Bronco Buster " made, and 
this was presented to Colonel Roosevelt on 
behalf of the whole regiment. It touched 
him deeply, and to-day this bronze is one 
of his most highly prized gifts. 

At last came news that the Rough Riders 
would be mustered out of the United States 
service the next day. That evening a 
great celebration took place, in which all of 
the men joined, each according to his own 
notion of what a celebration should be. 
Large bonfires were lit, and here some 
delivered speeches, the soldiers from the 
colleges sang, those with Indian blood in 
them gave a characteristic dance, and cow- 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 181 

boys and ranchmen did " double-shuffles " 
and " cut up " as suited them. 

On the morning of September 15, four 
months after the Rough Riders had been 
organized, the colors were lowered in camp, 
the men were mustered out, and otiicers 
and privates shook hands and said good- 

by- 

" It was the greatest sight I ever saw," 
says one of the number. " Not until that 
moment came did we realize what it meant 
to part with those who had fought with us 
in battle and suffered the hardships of life 
in the trenches. Strange friendships had 
been formed, some between those who were 
very rich and very poor, and others between 
those who were well educated and very 
ignorant. One man who was studying for 
a professional life had as his particular 
chum a rough cowboy who had never spent 
six months over his books. But the two 
had stood by each other and suffered, and 
I really believe they were willing to lay 
down theh- lives for each other. 

" Many of the men could hardly bear to 
part with Colonel Roosevelt. He had stuck 
by them through thick and thin, and they 



182 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

worshipped him. Some shook hands half a 
dozen times, and some hardly dared to speak 
for fear of breaking down. I never expect 
to see the match of that scene again." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 183 



CHAPTER XIX 

Nominated for Governor of New York — A Rough 
Rider Way of Campaigning — Elected Governor 
— Important Work at Albany — The Home- 
stead AT Oyster Bay — Chopping down a Tree 
FOR Exercise 

The war with Spain was at an end, and 
Uncle Sam had now to turn his attention to 
the Philippines, where for many months to 
come military disturbances of a more or less 
serious nature were to take place. 

Theodore Roosevelt might have remained 
in the army, and had he done so there is no 
doubt but that he would have swiftly risen 
to a rank of importance. 

But the people of the State of New York 
willed otherwise. 

" He is a great military man," they said. 
" But he was likewise a fine Police Commis- 
sioner and a Civil Service Commissioner, 
fighting continually for what was right and 
good. Let us make him our next governor." 

The convention that nominated Theodore 



184 AMEBICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Roosevelt for the highest office in the Em- 
pire State met at Saratoga, September 27, 
1898, just twelve days after the Rough 
Riders were mustered out. At that time 
Frank S. Black was governor of the state, 
having been elected two years before by a 
large majority. The governor had many 
friends, and they said he deserved another 
term. 

" Roosevelt is not a citizen of this state," 
said they. " He gave up his residence here 
when he went to Washington to become 
Assistant Secretary of the Navy." 

" We don't want him anyway," said other 
politicians, who had not forgotten how the 
Rough Rider had acted when in the 
Assembly. "If he gets into office, it will 
be impossible to manage him." And they 
worked night and day to defeat the hero of 
San Juan Hill. 

On the day of the convention, the hall 
where it was held was jammed with people. 
The people were also crowded in the street 
outside, and on every hand were seen Rough 
Rider badges. 

" It was a Roosevelt crowd from top to 
bottom," says one who was there. " You 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 185 

heard his name everywhere — in the hotels, 
on the streets, no matter where you went. 
Every once in a while somebody would shout, 
' Three cheers for Teddy ! ' and the cheers 
would be given with a will." 

As soon as the convention had settled 
down to business. Governor Black was put 
up for nomination, and then the Hon. 
Chauncey M. Depew presented the name of 
Theodore Roosevelt. He spoke of what had 
been done in Cuba, and added : — 

" The Rough Riders endured no hardships 
nor dangers which were not shared by their 
Colonel. He helped them dig their ditches ; 
he stood beside them in the deadly damp- 
ness of the trenches. No floored tent for 
him if his comrades must sleep on the 
ground and under the sky. In that world- 
famed charge of the Rough Riders up the 
hill of San Juan, their Colonel was a hun- 
dred feet in advance." 

There was a prolonged cheering when 
Theodore Roosevelt's name was mentioned, 
and hundreds waved their handkerchiefs 
and flags. Other speeches followed, and at 
last came the voting. Out of the total 
number cast Theodore Roosevelt received 



186 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

seven hundred and fifty-three and Governor 
Black two hundred and eighteen. 

" I move we make the nomination of 
Theodore Roosevelt unanimous ! " cried 
Judge Cady, who had previously presented 
the name of Governor Black. And amid 
continued cheering this was done. 

Theodore Roosevelt had been nominated 
on the regular Republican ticket. In oppo- 
sition, the Democrats nominated Augustus 
Van Wyck, also well known, and likewise 
of as old Dutch stock as Roosevelt himself. 

The campaign was a decidedly strenuous 
one. The Democrats made every effort to 
win, while on the other hand the Republi- 
cans who had wanted Governor Black for 
another term did not give to Mr. Roosevelt 
the support promised when his nomination 
had been made unanimous. 

" We shall be defeated," said more than 
one friend to Roosevelt. " It seems a shame, 
but we cannot arouse the party as it should 
be aroused." 

" I will see what I can do myself," an- 
swered the former leader of the Rough 
Riders. And he arranged to make a com- 
plete tour of the State, taking in almost 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 187 

every city and town of importance. When 
some of the old campaign managers heard 
of this, they came to Roosevelt in great 
alarm. 

''You mustn't do it," they said. "It 
will ruin you." 

" I will risk it," was the answer of the 
candidate. And forthwith he started on his 
tour, taking a handful of his Rough Rider 
friends with him. 

It was a brilliant stroke on the part of 
Theodore Roosevelt, and it told tremendously 
in his favor. Wherever he went, the people 
turned out in large crowds to see him and 
to listen to what he or his Rough Rider 
companions had to say. Citizens by the 
hundred came up to shake him by the 
hand and wish him success. Parades were 
organized to do him honor, and at night 
there would be brilliant illuminations and 
fireworks. 

"We have aroused the party," said he, 
when the tour was at an end. And so it 
proved. Although Van Wyck was popular, 
Theodore Roosevelt was elected to the high 
office of governor by seventeen thousand 
plurality. 



188 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

It was certainly a high position for such 
a young man to occupy. He was barely 
forty years of age, yet as governor of New 
York he ruled twice as many people as did 
Georo;e \Yasliina;ton when first President of 
the United States. 

He entered on his new duties with as 
much zeal as he had displayed when organ- 
izing the Rough Eiders, and in a few weeks 
had the reins of government well in hand. 
It is said that while he was governor he 
was never surprised by those who opposed 
him. "When they wanted facts and figures 
he was able to produce them, and he never 
supported or vetoed a measure unless he was 
morally certain he was on the right side. 
He was open-faced to the last degree, and 
what he said he meant. 

During his term of office many measures 
of importance were considered, but in a work 
of this kind it is not necessary to go into 
details. For several important offices he 
nominated men of his own selection, despite 
the protests of some older politicians, and 
these selections proved first-class. 

During his term as governor, Mr. Roose- 
velt did a great work for many poor people 



THEODOllE ROOSEVELT 189 

in New York City, who worked in what are 
called '^ sweat shops," — small, close quar- 
ters, not fit for working purposes, in which 
men, women, and children make clothing 
and other articles. He enforced what was 
known as the Factory Law, and the owners 
of the "sweat-shops" had to seek larger 
and more sanitary quarters for their em- 
ployees. He also took a strong hand in 
reforming the administration of the canals, 
which had been one-sided and uuiah-. 

But perhaps his greatest work was in 
behalf of a measure meant to make the 
great corporations of New York State pay 
their fair share of the general taxes. In 
the past these corporations had had great 
rights conferred upon them, and they had 
paid little or nothing in return. 

" This is unjust," said Governor Roose- 
velt. " They should pay their taxes just 
as the poorest citizen is compelled to pay 
his tax." 

When the corporations heard this, many 
of the men in control were furious, and they 
threatened the governor in all sorts of 
ways. They would defeat him if he ever 
again came up for election, and defeat him 



190 AMERICAN BOYsS' LIFE OF 

SO badly that he would never again be heard 
of. 

"Do as you please, gentlemen," said the 
governor. " I am liere to do my duty, and 
I intend to do it." And he called an extra 
session of the legislature for that purpose. 
It is said that much money was used by 
some corporations to defeat Governor Roose- 
velt's will, but in the end a modified form 
of the bill was passed. Since that time 
other bills along similar lines have become 
laws; so that the great corporations have 
to pay millions of dollars which in the past 
they had escaped paying. Such measures 
are of immense benefit to the ordinary citi- 
zen, and for his share in this work Theodore 
Roosevelt deserves great credit. 

It was while governor of New York that 
Mr. Roosevelt gave to the public his book 
entitled " The Rough Riders." It contains 
a history of that organization from his 
personal point of view, and makes the most 
fascinating kind of reading from beginning 
to end. It was well received, and added 
not a little to the laurels of the writer as 
an author. 

Although much of his time was spent at 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 191 

Albany as Executive, Theodore Roosevelt 
had not given up the old homestead at 
Oyster Bay on Long Island, and thither he 
went for rest and recreation, taking his en- 
tire family, which, as has been said, consisted 
of his wife and six children, with him. 

The old Roosevelt homestead is on a hill 
about three miles distant from the village. 
The road to the house winds upward through 
a wilderness of trees and brushwood. At 
the top of the hill, where the house stands, 
is a cleared space, free to the strong breezes 
of Long Island Sound. It is on the north 
shore, about twenty-five miles from City 
Hall, New York. 

The house is a large, three-story affair, 
with crossed gables, and a large semicircular 
veranda at one end. Inside there is a wide 
hall, and all the rooms are of good size, 
with broad windows and inviting open fire- 
places. One room is fitted up as Mr. Roose- 
velt's "den," with many bookcases filled with 
books, and with rare prints of Washington, 
Lincoln, and other celebrities on the walls, 
and with not a few trophies of the hunt 
added. In this room Mr. Roosevelt has 
done much of his work as an author. 



192 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

It is said that Abraham Lincoln not only 
chopped wood for a living, but that he rather 
enjoyed the outdoor exercise. Be that as it 
may, it remains a fact that Mr. Roosevelt 
frequently goes forth into the woods on his 
estate to fell a tree, or split one up, just 
for the exercise thus afforded. This he did 
while he was governor of New York, and 
once astonished some newspaper men who 
had come to see him on business by the dex- 
terity with which he cut a large tree trunk 
in two. He even invited his visitors to 
"take a hack at it" themselves, but they 
respectfully declined. 

He still kept up his athletic exercise, and 
one of his favorite amusements was to go 
on long horseback rides, either alone, or 
with some relative or friend. At other 
times he would go deep into the woods with 
his young sons, showing them how to bring 
down the mits from the trees, or how to use 
their guns on any small game that chanced 
to show itself. His family life was then, as 
it has always been, a happy one; but of 
this let us speak later. 



TEEODOEE BOOSE VELT 193 



CHAPTER XX 

Great Reception to Admiral Dewj-y — Governor 
Roosevelt's Increased Popularity — Last An- 
nual Message as Governor — Visit to Chicago 
— Remarkable Speech on the Strenuous Life 

Although the war with Spain was over, 
the people of the United States had not for- 
gotten tlie wonderful work accomplished by 
Admiral Dewey and his men at Manila, and 
Avhen the dauntless naval fighter returned 
to this country, people everj^where arose to 
do him honor. 

" He well deserves it," said Governor 
Roosevelt. And he appointed September 29 
and 30, 1899, as public holidays, to be ob- 
served throughout the entire State as days 
of general thanksgiving. These days were 
commonly called " Dewey Days." 

The reception to the Admiral and to the 
other naval heroes was to take place in New 
York and vicinity, and for many days the 
citizens were busy decorating their homes 
and places of business with flags and bunt- 



194 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

ing and pictures, and immense signs of 
" Welcome," some in letters several feet 
long. At the junction of Broadway, Fifth 
Avenue, and Twenty-Third Street, an im- 
mense triumphal arch was erected, and re- 
viewing stands stretched along the line of 
parade for many miles. 

On the day before the grand reception. 
Governor Roosevelt, with some members of 
his staff, called upon Admiral Dewey on 
board of the Olympia, and offered the State's 
greeting. A pleasant time was had by all, 
and the governor assured the sea hero that 
the people of New York and vicinity were 
more than anxious to do him honor. 

It had been arranged that a naval parade 
should be held on the first day of the re- 
ception, and a land parade on the day fol- 
lowing. The course of the naval parade 
was up the Hudson River past Grant's 
Tomb, and the grand procession on the 
water included the Olymina, the Admiral's 
flag-ship, and the New Yo7% Indiana, Mas- 
sachusetts, Texas, Brooklyn, and a large 
number of other war-ships of lesser impor- 
tance, besides an immense number of private 
steam-yachts and other craft. 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 195 

The day dawned clear and bright, and 
the banks of the Hudson were lined from 
end to end with people. When the pro- 
cession of war-ships swept up the stream, 
loud was the applause, while flags waved 
everywhere, and whistles blew constantly. 
When passing Grant's Tomb every war- 
ship fired a salute, and the mass of sound 
echoing across the water was positively 
deafening. 

As the Olympia swept up the river, fired 
her salute, and then came to anchor a short 
distance below the last resting-place of Gen- 
eral Grant, Admiral Dewey stood on the 
bridge of his flag-ship, a small, trim figure, 
with a smile and a wave of the hand for 
everybody. The siKging people could see 
him but indistinctly, yet there was much 
hand clapping, and throats grew sore with 
cheering. 

But there was another figure in that naval 
parade, the person of one also dear to the 
hearts of the people. It was the figure of 
Theodore Roosevelt, dressed, not as a Rough 
Rider, but as a civilian, standing at the rail 
of a steamer used by the New York State 
oflicials. When the people saw and recog- 



196 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

nized that figure, the cheering was as wild 
as ever. 

" It is Roosevelt ! " ran from mouth to 
mouth. " The hero of San Juan Hill ! " 

" Hurrah for the Rough Riders and their 
gallant leader ! " came from others. And 
the cheering was renewed. 

In the evening there was a grand display 
of fireworks and illuminated floats. The 
immense span of the Brooklyn Bridge was 
a mass of lights, and contained the words 
" Welcome, Dewey " in lettering which cov- 
ered several hundred feet. All of the war- 
ships had their search-lights in operation, 
and it can truthfully be said that for once 
the metropolis was as light as day. 

But all of this was as nothing compared 
with the land parade which followed. 
Never before had the streets of New York 
been so jammed with people. At many 
points it was impossible to move, yet the 
crowds were good-natured and patriotic 
to the core. The parade started at Grant's 
Tomb and ended at Washington Square, and 
was between five and six hours in passing. 
Admiral Dewey rode in a carriage with 
Mayor Van Wyck, and received another 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 197 

ovation. At the Triumphal Arch the Ad- 
miral reviewed the parade, and here he 
was accorded additional honors. 

In this parade Governor Roosevelt rode 
on horseback, in civilian dress. As he came 
down the street, the immense crowds recog- 
nized him from afar, and the hand clapping 
and cheering was tremendous, and lasted 
long after he was out of sight. 

" It's our own Teddy Roosevelt ! " cried 
the more enthusiastic. 

" Hurrah for the governor ! Hurrah for 
the colonel of the Rough Riders ! " 

" Hurrah for the coming President ! " said 
another. And he spoke better than he knew. 

This demonstration came straight from 
the people's heart, and it could not help but 
affect Theodore Roosevelt. Sitting astride 
of his dark-colored horse like a veteran, he 
bowed right and left. Next to Dewey, he 
was easily the greatest figure in the parade. 

On January 3, 1900, Governor Roosevelt 
sent his last annual message to the State 
legislature. It was an able document, and 
as it was now recognized everywhere that 
he was a truly national figure, it was given 
careful attention. It treated of the corrup- 



198 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

tion in canal management, of the franchise 
tax, of taxation in general, and a large 
portion was devoted to the trusts. At that 
time the trusts were receiving great atten- 
tion everywhere, and it was felt that what 
the governor had to say about them, that 
they were largely over-capitalized, that they 
misrepresented the condition of their affairs, 
that they promoted unfair competition, and 
that they wielded increased power over the 
wage-earner, was strictly true. 

In Chicago there is a wealthy organiza- 
tion known as the Hamilton Club, and the 
members were very anxious to have Gov- 
ernor Roosevelt as their guest on Appomattox 
Day, April 10, 1899. A delegation went 
to New York to invite the governor, and 
he accepted the invitation with pleasure. 

" The middle West is very dear to me," 
said he. " It will be a pleasure to meet my 
many friends there." 

Of course he was expected to speak, and 
said the subject of his address would be 
" The Strenuous Life," — certainly a subject 
close to his own heart, considering the life 
he himself had led. 

When Mr. Roosevelt reached the metrop- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 199 

olis of the Great Lakes, he found a large 
crowd waiting at the raih'oad station to 
receive him. The reception committee was 
on hand, with the necessary coaches, and 
people were crowded everywhere, anxious 
to catch a sight of the man who had made 
himself famous by the advance up San 
Juan Hill. 

But for the moment Governor Roosevelt 
did not see the reception committee, nor did 
he see the great mass of people. In a far 
corner of the platform he caught sight of 
six men, dressed in the faded and tattered 
uniform of the Rough Riders. They were 
not men of wealth or position, but they were 
men of his old command, and he had not 
forgotten them. 

" Glad to see you, boys, glad to see you ! " 
he shouted, as he elbowed his way toward 
them. " Come up here and shake hands." 

" Glad to see you. Colonel," was the ready 
answer, and the faces of the men broke into 
broad smiles. They shook hands readily, 
and willingly answered all of the questions 
the governor put to them. He asked how 
each of them was doing, calling them by 
their names, and concluded by requesting 



200 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

them to come up to the Auditorium later, 
" for an all-round chat." 

" It was a great meeting," said one who 
was there. " Before the train came in, those 
old Rough Kiders were nervous and showed 
it. They knew that Roosevelt had become 
a great man, and they were just a little afraid 
he would pass them by. When the meeting 
was over, they went off as happy as a lot of 
children, and one of them said, ' Say, fellows, 
Teddy's just all right yet, ain't he ? ' And 
another answered : ' Told you he would be. 
He's a white man through and through, 
none whiter anywhere.' " 

The banquet was held in the Auditorium 
Theatre building, and was said to be the 
largest ever given in Chicago. Many dis- 
tinguished guests were present, both from 
the North and the South, and tlie place was 
a mass of flowers and brilliantly illuminated, 
while a fine orchestra discoursed music dur- 
ing the meal. When Theodore Roosevelt 
arose to speak, there was cheering that lasted 
fully a quarter of an hour. 

The speech made upon this occasion is 
one not likely to be forgotten. Previous to 
that time the word " strenuous " had been 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 201 

heard but seldom, but ever since it has stood 
for something definite, and is much in use. 
In part Mr. Roosevelt spoke as follows : — 

" I wish to preach, not the doctrine of 
ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenu- 
ous life ; the life of toil and effort ; of labor 
and strife ; to preach that highest form of 
success which comes, not to the man who 
desires mere easy peace, but to the man who 
does not shirk from danger, from hardship, 
or from bitter toil, and who out of these 
wins the splendid ultimate triumph." 

Another paragraph is equally interesting 
and elevating : — 

" We do not admke the man of timid 
peace. We admire the man who embodies 
victorious effort ; the man who never wrongs 
his neighbor, who is prompt to help a friend ; 
but who has those virile qualities necessary 
to win in the stern strife of actual life. It 
is hard to fail ; but it is worse never to have 
tried to succeed." 

And to this he adds : — 

" As it is with the individual so it is 
with the nation. It is a base untruth to 
say that happy is the nation that has no 
history. Thrice happy is the nation that 



202 AMEBICAN BOYS" LIFE OF 

has a glorious history. Far better is it to 
dare mighty things to win glorious triumphs, 
even though checkered by failure, than to 
take rank with those poor spirits who neither 
enjoy much nor suffer much, because they 
live in the gray twilight that knows neither 
victory nor defeat." ' 

1 For other extracts from this speech, see Appendix A, 
p. 297. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 203 



CHAPTER XXI 

The Convention at Philadelphia — Theodore 
Roosevelt seconds the Nomination of Presi- 
dent McKiNLEY — Becomes Candidate for the 
Vice-Presidency — Remarkable Tours through 
Many States 

As the time came on to nominate parties 
for the office of President and Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States^, in 1900, there 
was considerable speculation in the Repub- 
lican party regarding who should be chosen 
for the second name on the ticket. 

It was felt by everybody that President 
McKinley had honestly earned a second 
term, not alone by his management of the 
war with Spain, but also because of his 
stand touching the rebellion in the Philip- 
pines, and on other matters of equal impor- 
tance. 

About the Vice-Presidency the political 
managers were not so sure, and they men- 
tioned several names. But in the hearts of 
the people there was but one name, and that 
was Theodore Roosevelt. 



204 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

" We must have liiiii," was heard upon 
every side. " He will be just the right 
man in the right place. He will give to 
the office an importance never before at- 
tached to it, and an importance which it 
deserves." 

Personally, Governor Roosevelt did not 
wish this added honor. As the Executive 
of the greatest State in our Union, he had 
started great reforms, and he wanted to 
finish them. 

"My work is here," he said to many. 
" Let me do what I have been called to do, 
and then I will again be at the service of 
the whole nation once more." 

The National Republican Convention met 
in Philadelphia, June 19, in Exposition 
Hall, beautifully decorated with flags and 
banners. Senator Mark Hanna, President 
McKinley's warmest personal friend, was 
chairman, and the delegates, numbering 
over seven hundred, came, as usual at such 
conventions, from every State in the Union. 
Governor Roosevelt himself was a delegate, 
and sat near the middle aisle, five or six 
seats from the front. He was recognized 
by everybody, and it is safe to say that 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 205 

he was the most conspicuous figure at the 
convention. 

Up to the last minute many of the politi- 
cal leaders were, in a measure, afraid of 
Theodore Roosevelt. They understood his 
immense popularity, and were afraid that 
the convention might be " stampeded " in 
his favor. 

"If they once start to yell for Roose- 
velt, it will be good-by to everybody else," 
said one old politician. " They are just 
crazy after the leader of the Rough Riders." 

But this man did not understand the 
stern moral honesty of the man under con- 
sideration. Roosevelt believed in uphold- 
ing AVilham McKinley, and had said so, 
and it was no more possible for him to seek 
the Presidential nomination by an under- 
handed trick than it was for President 
McKinley to do an equally base thing when 
he was asked to allow his name to be 
mentioned at the time he had pledged him- 
self to support John Sherman.^ Both men 
were of equal loyalty, and the word of 
each was as good as his bond. 

^See "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," 
p. 191. 



206 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

It was Senator Foraker who put up Presi- 
dent McKinley for nomination, and the vig- 
orous cheering at that time will never be 
forgotten. Fifteen thousand throats yelled 
themselves hoarse, and then broke into the 
ringing words and music of " The Union 
Forever ! " in a manner that made the very 
convention hall tremble. Then came cries 
for Roosevelt, " For our own Teddy of the 
Rough Riders! " and, written speech in hand, 
he arose amid that vast multitude to second 
the candidacy of William McKinley. Not 
once did he look at the paper he held in his 
hand, but with a force that could not be 
misunderstood he addressed the assemblage. 

"• I rise to second the nomination of 
William McKinley, because with him as 
a leader this people has trod the path of 
national greatness and prosperity with the 
strides of a giant," said he, " and because 
under him we can and will succeed in the 
election. Exactly as in the past we have 
remedied the evils which we undertook to 
remedy, so now when we say that a wrong 
shall be righted, it most assuredly will be 
righted. 

" We stand on the threshold of a new 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 207 

century, a century big with the fate of the 
great nations of the earth. It rests with us 
to decide now whether in the opening years 
of that century we shall march forward to 
fresh triumphs, or whether at the outset we 
shall deliberately cripple ourselves for the 
contest." 

His speech was the signal for another 
burst of applause, and when finally Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was named as the candidate 
for Vice-President, the crowd yelled until 
it could yell no longer, while many sang 
" Yankee Doodle " and other more or less 
patriotic au's, keeping time with canes and 
flag-sticks. When the vote was cast, only 
one delegate failed to vote for Theodore 
Roosevelt, and that was Theodore Roosevelt 
himself. 

The platform of the party was largely a 
repetition of the platform of four years 
before. Again the cry was for " sound 
money," and for the continuance of Presi- 
dent McKinley's policy in the Philippines. 

The campaign which followed was truly 
a strenuous one — to use a favorite word 
of the candidate. President McKinley 
decided not to make many speeches, and 



208 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

thus the hard work previous to election day 
fell upon Theodore Roosevelt. 

He did not shirk the task. As with every- 
thing he inidertook, he entered into the 
campaign with vigor, resolved to deserve 
success even if he did not win it. 

" I will do my best in the interests of our 
party, and for the benefit of the people at 
large," said Theodore Roosevelt. " No man 
can do more than that." 

In the few short months between the 
time when he was nominated and when 
the election was held, Governor Roosevelt 
travelled over 20,000 miles by rail, visit- 
ing nearly 600 towns, and addressing, on a 
rough estimate, fully 3,000,000 of people ! 
In that time he delivered 673 speeches, 
some of them half an hour and some an 
hour in length. 

In his thousands of miles of travel the 
candidate for the Vice-Presidency visited 
many States, particularly those lying be- 
tween New York and Colorado. At nearly 
every town he was greeted by an immense 
crowd, all anxious to do the leader of the 
Rough Riders honor. In the large cities 
great banquets were held, and he was shown 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 209 

much respect and consideration. In nicany 
places tliose who had fought under him 
came to see and listen to him, and these 
meetings were of especial pleasure. Often 
he would see an old Rough Rider hanging 
back in the crowd, and would call him to 
the front or do his best to reach the ex-sol- 
dier and shake him by the hand. 

One occmTence is worthy of special men- 
tion. The Democratic party had nominated 
William Jennings Bryan as their candidate 
for President. There was a great labor pic- 
nic and demonstration at Chicago, and both 
Governor Roosevelt and Mr. Bryan were 
invited to speak. 

" You had better not accept, governor," 
said some friends to Theodore Roosevelt. 
" There may be trouble." 

"I am not afraid," answered the former 
leader of the Rough Riders. 

" But Mr. Bryan and yourself are to be 
there at practically the same time." 

" That does not matter," said the gov- 
ernor. And he went to Chicago on Septem- 
ber 3, to attend the Labor Day celebrations. 
The picnic was held at Electric Park, and in 
the presence of fifteen thousand people Gov- 



210 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

ernor Roosevelt and Mr. Bryan " buried the 
hatchet " for the time being, and spoke to 
those surrounding them on the dignity of 
labor and the duties of the laboring man 
to better himself and his social conditions. 
In that motley collection of people there 
were frequent cries of " Hurrah for Teddy ! " 
and " What's the matter with Bryan ? He's 
all right ! " but there was no disturbance, 
and each speaker was listened to with re- 
spectful attention from start to finish. It 
was without a doubt a meeting to show 
true American liberty and free speech at 
its best. 

But all of the stops on his tours were not 
so pleasant to Governor Roosevelt. In every 
community there are those who are low-bred 
and bound to make an exhibition of their 
baseness. At Waverly, New York, a stone 
was flung at him through the car window, 
breaking the glass but missing the candidate 
for whom it was intended. At once there 
was excitement. 

" Are you hurt, Governor ? " was the ques- 
tion asked. 

" No," retm-ned Theodore Roosevelt. And 
then he added, with a faint smile, " It's 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 211 

only a bouquet, but I wish, after this, they 
wouldn't make them quite so hard." 

There was also a demonstration against the 
candidate at Haverstraw, New York, which 
threatened for a while to break up an in- 
tended meeting. But the worst rowdyism 
was encountered at Victor, a small town in 
Colorado, near the well-known mining cen- 
tre of Cripple Creek. Victor was full of 
miners who wanted not " sound money," 
but " free silver," for free silver, so styled, 
meant a great booming of silver mining. 

" We don't want him here," said these 
miners. "We have heard enough about 
him and his gold standard. He had better 
keep away, or he'll regret it." 

When Theodore Roosevelt was told he 
might have trouble in the mining camps, he 
merely shrugged his shoulders. 

" I know these men," he said. " The most 
of them are as honest and respectable as the 
citizens of New York. I am not afraid of 
the vicious element. The better class are 
bound to see fair play." 

The governor spoke at a place called Ar- 
mory Hall, and the auditorium was packed. 
He had just begun his speech when there 



212 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

was a wild yelling and cat-calling, all cal- 
culated to drown him out. He waited for 
a minute, and then, as the noise subsided, 
tried to go on once more, when a voice 
cried out : — 

"What about rotten beef?" referring to 
the beef furnished during; the Santias-o cam- 
paign, which had, of course, come through 
a Republican Commissary Department. 

"I ate that beef," answered the governor, 
quickly. And then he added to the fellow 
who had thus questioned him : " You will 
never get near enough to be hit with a 
bullet, or within five miles of it." At this 
many bm\st into applause, and the man, who 
was a coward at heart, sneaked from the 
hall in a hurry. He was no soldier and 
had never suffered the hardships of any 
campaign, and many hooted him as he 
deserved. 

But the trouble was not yet over. Theo- 
dore Roosevelt finished his address, and then 
started to leave the hall in company with a 
number of his friends. On the way to the 
train a crowd of rowdies followed the can- 
didate's party, and threw all sorts of things 
at them. One man made a personal at- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 213 

tack on the governor and hit him on the 
chest with a stick. He tried to leap away, 
but was knocked down by a personal friend 
of Theodore Roosevelt. 

" Down with the gold bugs ! " was the 
cry, and the violence of the mob increased. 
The friends of Governor Roosevelt rallied 
to his support, and blows were given and 
taken freely. But with it all the candidate 
reached his train in safety, and in a few 
minutes more had left the town far be- 
hind. He was not much disturbed, and the 
very next da^'^ went on with his speech- 
making as if nothing out of the ordinary 
had happened. The better classes of citi- 
zens of Victor were much distmbed over 
the happening, and they sent many regrets 
to Governor Roosevelt, assming him that 
such a demonstration would never again be 
permitted to occm*. 



214 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XXII 

Elected Vice-President of the United States — 
Presides Over the Senate — Tax upon Theo- 
dore Roosevelt's Strength — Start on An- 
other Grand Hunting Tour 

But the campaign, sharp and bitter as it 
had been, was not yet at an end. In New 
York City there followed a '' Sound Money 
Parade," which was perhaps the largest 
of its kind ever witnessed in the United 
States. It was composed of all sorts and 
conditions of men, from bankers and brokers 
of Wall Street to the humble factory and 
mill hands from up the river and beyond. 
The parade took several hours to pass, and 
was witnessed by crowds almost as great as 
had witnessed the Dewey demonstration. 

In New York City, as the time drew 
closer for the election, there was every inti- 
mation that the contest would be an un- 
usually " hot " one, and that there would be 
much bribery and corruption. It was said 
by some that police methods were very lax 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 215 

at that time, and that the saloons, which 
ought to be closed on election day, would 
be almost if not quite wide open. 

" We must have an honest election," said 
Governor Roosevelt. And without loss of 
time he sent letters to Mayor Van Wyck, 
and to the sheriff and the district attorney 
of the county of New York, calling their 
attention to the facts in the case, and tell- 
ing them that he would hold them strictly 
responsible if they did not do their full duty. 
As a consequence the election was far more 
orderly than it might otherwise have been 
in the metropolitan district. 

The results of the long contest were 
speedily known. McKinley and Roosevelt 
had been elected by a large plurality, and 
both they and their numerous friends and 
supporters were correspondingly happy. 
Great parades were had in their honor, 
and it was predicted, and rightly, that the 
prosperity which oiu- comitry had enjoyed 
for several years in the past would continue 
for many years to come. 

During those days the United States had 
but one outside difficulty, which was in 
China. There a certain set of people called 



216 AMERICAN boys'' LIFE OF 

the Boxers arose in rebellion and threat- 
ened the lives of all foreigners, including 
American citizens. An International Army 
was organized, including American, English, 
French, German, Japanese, and other troops, 
and a quick attack was made upon Tien- 
Tsin and Pekin, and the suffering foreigners 
in China were rescued. In this campaign 
the American soldiers did their full share 
of the work and added fresh lam-els to the 
name of Old Glory. 

The tax upon the strength of the newly 
elected Vice-President had been very great, 
and he was glad to surrender the duties of 
governor into the hands of his successor. 
But as Vice-President, Theodore Roosevelt 
became the presiding officer of the United 
States Senate, a position of equal if not 
greater importance. 

As President of the Senate it is said that 
Mr. Roosevelt was kind yet firm, and ever 
on the alert to see that affairs ran smoothly. 
He occupied the position only for one short 
winter session, and during that time nothing 
came under discussion that was of jorime 
importance, although my young readers 
must remember that all the work accom- 



THEOBORE ROOSEVELT 217 

plished in onr Senate is of more or less 
magnitude. 

" He was very earnest in his work," says 
one who was in the Senate at that time. 
" As was his nsual habit, he took little for 
granted, but usually started to investigate 
for himself. He knew the rules thoroughly, 
and rarely made an error." 

For a long time the newly elected Vice- 
President had been wanting to get back to 
his favorite recreation, hunting. Despite 
the excitement of political life, he could not 
overcome his fondness for his rifle and the 
wilderness. He felt that an outing would 
do his system much good, and accordingly 
arranged for a five weeks' hunting trip in 
northwestern Colorado. 

In this trip, which he has himself de- 
scribed in one of his admirable hunting 
papers, he had with him two companions. 
Dr. Gerald Webl3 of Colorado Springs, and 
Mr. Philip K. Stewart, an old friend who 
in former years had been captain of the 
Yale base-ball team. 

The party went as far as the railroad 
would carry them, and then started for a set- 
tlement called Meeker, forty miles distant. 



218 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

The weather was extremely cold, with the 
thermometer from ten to twenty degrees 
below zero, but the journey to Meeker was 
made in safety, and here the hunters met 
their guide, a well-known hunter of that 
region named Goff, and started with him 
for his ranch, several miles away. 

Theodore Roosevelt would have liked 
to bring down a bear on this trip, but 
the grizzlies were all in winter quarters 
and sleeping soundly, so the hunt was con- 
fined to bob-cats and cougars. The hunting 
began early, for on the way to the ranch 
the hounds treed a bob-cat, commonly 
known as a lynx, which was secured with- 
out much trouble, and a second bob-cat was 
secured the next day. 

The territory surrounding Goff's ranch, 
called the Keystone, was an ideal one for 
hunting, with clumps of cottonwoods and 
pines scattered here and there, and numer- 
ous cliffs and ravines, the hiding-places of 
game unnumbered. The ranch home stood 
at the foot of several well-wooded hills, a 
long, low, one-story affair, built of rough 
logs, but clean and comfortable within. 

The two days' ride in the nipping air had 



THEODOIiE ROOSEVELT 219 

been a severe test of endurance, and all 
were glad, when the ranch was reached, to 
" thaw out " before the roaring fire, and sit 
down to the hot and hearty meal that had 
been prepared in anticipation of their 
coming. 

The hunters had some excellent hounds, 
trained especially for bob-cats and cougars, 
animals that were never allowed to go after 
small game under any circumstances. Theo- 
dore Roosevelt was much taken with them 
from the start, and soon got to know each 
by name. 

" In cougar hunting the success of the 
hunter depends absolutely upon his hounds," 
says Mr. Roosevelt. And he described each 
hound with great minuteness, showing that 
he allowed little to escape his trained eye 
while on this tour. 

On the day after the arrival at the ranch 
the party went out for its first cougar, 
which, as my young readers perhaps know, 
is an animal inhabiting certain wild parts 
of our West and Southwest. The beast 
grows to a size of from six to nine feet 
in length, and weighs several hundred 
pounds. It is variously known as a puma 



220 AMEBICAN boys' LIFE OF 

and panther, the latter name sometunes be- 
ing changed to " painter." When attacked, 
it is ofttimes exceedingly savage, and on 
certain occasions has been known to kill 
a man. 

In Colorado the coucrar is hmited almost 
exclusively with the aid of hounds, and 
this was the method adopted on the present 
occasion. With the pen of a true sportsman, 
Mr. Roosevelt tells us how the hounds were 
held back until a cougar trail less than 
thirty-six hours old was struck. Then off 
went the pack along the cliffs and ravines, 
with the hunters following on horseback. 
The trail led up the moimtain side and 
then across the valley opposite, and soon 
the hounds were out of sight. Leaduig 
their steeds, the hunters went down the 
valley and followed the dogs, to find they 
had separated among the bare spots beyond. 
But soon came a welcome sound. 

" The cougar's treed," announced the 
guide. And so it proved. But when the 
hunters came closer, the cougar, an old fe- 
male, leaped from the tree, outdistanced 
the dogs, and leaped into another tree. 
Then, as the party again came up, the beast 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 221 

took another leap and started to rnn once 
more. But now the hounds were too quick, 
and in a trice tliey had the cougar sur- 
rounded. SHpping in, Theodore Roosevelt 
ended the struggles of the wild beast by 
a knife-thrust behind the shoulder. 

The next day there was another hunt, 
and this had rather a tinge of sadness to it. 
The dogs tracked a mother cougar, who 
occupied her den with her three kittens. 
The hounds rushed into the hole, barking 
furiously, and presently one came out with 
a dead kitten in his mouth. 

" I had supposed a cougar would defend 
her young to the last," says Mr. Roosevelt, 
" but such was not the case in this instance. 
For some minutes she kept the dogs at 
bay, but gradually gave ground, leaving 
her three kittens." The dogs killed the 
kittens without loss of time, and then fol- 
lowed the cougar as she fled from the 
other end of her hole. But the hounds 
were too quick for her, and soon had 
her on the ground. Theodore Roosevelt 
rushed up, knife in one hand and rifle in 
the other. With the firearm he struck the 
beast in the jaws, and then ended the 



222 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

struggle by a knife -thrust straight into the 
heart. 

To many this may seem a cruel sport, 
and in a certain sense it assuredly is ; but 
my young readers must remember that 
cougars and other wild beasts are a menace 
to civilization in the far West, and they 
have been shot down and killed at every 
available opportunity. More than this, 
as I have already mentioned, Theodore 
Roosevelt is more than a mere hunter 
delighting in bloodshed. He is a natu- 
ralist, and examines with care everything 
brought down and reports upon it, so 
that his hunting trips have added not a 
little to up-to-date natural history. The 
skulls of the various animals killed on this 
trip were forwarded to the Biological Sur- 
vey, Department of Agriculture, Washing- 
ton, and in return Mr. Roosevelt received a 
letter, part of which stated : — 

" Your series of skulls from Colorado is 
incomparably the largest, most complete, 
and most valuable series ever brought to- 
gether from any single locality, and will be 
of inestimable value in determining the 
amount of individual variation." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 223 



CHAPTER XXIII 

The Roosevelt Family in the Adirondacks — 
The Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo — 
Shooting of President McKinley — The Vice- 
President's Visit — Death of the President 

Theodore Roosevelt's companions of 
the hunt remained with him for fom'teen 
days, after which they departed, leaving 
him with Goff, the ranchman and hunter 
already mentioned. 

When the pair were alone, they visited 
Juniper Mountain, said to be a great ground 
for cougars and bob-cats, and there hunted 
with great success. All together the trip of 
five weeks' hunting netted fourteen cougars, 
the largest of which was eight feet in length 
and weighed 227 pounds. Mr. Roosevelt 
also brought down five bob-cats, showing 
that he was just as skilful with his rifle as 
ever. 

The hero of San Juan Hill fairly loved 
the outdoor exercise of the hunt, and spent 
three weeks in keen enjoyment after his 



224 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

companions liad departed. During this 
time it snowed heavily, so that the hunters 
were often compelled to remain indoors. 
As luck would have it there were other 
ranches in that vicinity, with owners that 
were hospitable, so that they did not have 
to go into camp, as would otherwise have 
been the case. 

On the last day of the hunt, Theodore 
Roosevelt was able to bring down the 
largest cougar j'et encountered. The 
hounds were on the trail of one beast when 
they came across that of another and took 
it up with but little warning. 

*' We're going to get a big one now," 
said Goff. " Just you wait and see." 

" Well, if we do, it will be a good end- 
ing to my outing," responded Theodore 
Roosevelt. 

The cougar was at last located by the 
hounds in a large pinyon on the side of a 
hill. It had run a lono; distance and was 
evidently out of breath, but as the hunters 
drew closer, it leaped to the ground and 
trotted away through the snow. Away 
went the hounds on the new trail of the 
beast. 



THEODORE ItOOSEVELT 225 

"He's game, and he'll get away if he 
can," said the guide. 

At the top of another hill the cougar 
halted and one of the hounds leaped in, and 
was immediately sent sprawling by a savage 
blow of the wald animal's paw. Then on 
went the cougar as before, the hounds bark- 
ing wildly as they went in pursuit. 

When Theodore Roosevelt came up once 
more, the cougar was in another pinyon 
tree, with the hounds in a semicircle on 
the ground below. 

" Now I think I've got him," whispered 
Theodore Roosevelt to his companion, and 
advanced on foot, with great cautiousness. 
At first he could see nothing, but at last 
made out the back and tail of the great 
beast, as it lay crouched among the branches. 
With great care he took aim and fired, and 
the cougar fell to the ground, shot through 
the back. 

At once the hounds rushed in and seized 
the game. But the cougar was not yet 
dead, and snapping and snarling the beast 
slipped over the ground and down a hillside, 
with the doo;s all around it. Theodore 
Roosevelt came up behind, working his way 



226 AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 

through the brush with all speed. Then, 
watching his chance, he jumped in, hunting- 
knife in hand, and despatched the game. 

*' A good haul," cried Goff. And later 
on he and his men came to the conclusion 
that it was the same cougar that had car- 
ried off a cow and a steer and killed a 
work horse belonging to one of the ranches 
near by. 

The five weeks spent in the far West 
strengthened Theodore Roosevelt a great 
deal, and it was with renewed energy that 
he took up his duties as Vice-President of 
our nation. 

In the meantime, however, matters were 
not going on so well at home. Among the 
children two had been very sick, and in the 
summer it was suggested that some pure 
mountain air would do them a great deal of 
good. 

" Very well, we'll go to the mountains," 
said Mr. Roosevelt, and looked around to 
learn what place would be best to choose. 

Among the Adirondack Mountains of 
New York State there is a reservation of 
ninety-six thousand acres leased by what 
is called the Adirondack Club, a wealthy 



THEOBOEE ROOSEVELT 227 

organization of people who have numerous 
summer cottages built within the preserve. 

Among the members was a Mr. McNaugh- 
ten, an old friend of the Roosevelt family, 
and he suggested that they occupy his cot- 
tage until the close of the season. This 
invitation was accepted, and the whole 
Roosevelt family moved up to the spot, 
which was located at the foot of Mount 
Marcy, the largest of the mountains in that 
vicinity. Here Mr. Roosevelt spent much 
time in hunting and fishing, and also in 
writing. The family were not forgotten, 
and he frequently went out with the whole 
party, rowing and exploring. Sometimes 
they took baskets of lunch with them and 
had regular picnics in the woods, something 
the Roosevelt children enjoyed very much. 

In the meantime the Pan-American Ex- 
position at Buffalo, New York, had been 
opened, and day after day it was thronged 
with visitors. Vice-President Roosevelt had 
assisted at the opening, and he was one of 
many who hoped the Exposition would be a 
great success. 

At the Exposition our government had a 
large exhibit, and it was thought highly 



228 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

proper that President McKinley should visit 
the ground in his official capacity and de- 
liver an address. Preparations were accord- 
ingly made, and the address was delivered 
on September 5 to a most enthusiastic 
throng.^ 

On the following day the President was 
driven to the Temple of Music, on the Ex- 
position grounds, there to hold a public 
reception. The crowds were as great as 
ever, but perfectly orderly, and filed in at 
one side of the building and out at the other, 
each person in turn being permitted to grasp 
the Chief Magistrate's hand. 

For a while all went well, and nobody 
noticed anything unusual about a somewhat 
weak-faced individual who joined the crowd, 
and who had one hand covered with a hand- 
kerchief. As this rascal came up to shake 
hands, he raised the hand with the handker- 
chief and, using a concealed pistol, fired two 
shots at President McKinley. 

For an instant everybody was dazed. 
Then followed a commotion, and while 
some went to the wounded Executive's 

^ For this speech in full, and for wliat happened after 
it was delivered, see " Ainevicaii Boj's' Life of McKinley." 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 229 

assistance, others leaped upon the das- 
tardly assassin and made him a prisoner. 

There was an excellent hospital upon the 
Exposition grounds, and to this President 
McKinley was carried. Here it was found 
that both bullets had entered his body, one 
having struck the breastbone and the other 
having entered the abdomen. The physi- 
cians present did all they possibly could for 
him, and then he was removed to the resi- 
dence of Mr. Millburn, the President of the 
Exposition. 

In the meantime, all unconscious of the 
awful happening that was to have such an 
influence upon his future, Mr. Roosevelt 
had been enjoying himself with his family, 
and helping to take care of the children 
that were not yet totally recovered from 
their illness. All seemed to be progressing 
finely, and he had gone off on a little tour 
to Vermont, to visit some points of interest 
and deliver a few addresses. 

He was at Isle La Motte, not far from 
Burlington, when the news reached him 
that President McKinley had been shot. 
He had just finished an address, and for the 
moment he could not believe the sad news. 



230 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

"Shot!" he said. "How dreadful!" 
And could scarcely say another word. He 
asked for the latest bulletin, and, forgetful 
of all else, took the first train he could get 
to Buffalo, and then hastened to the side of 
his Chief. 

It was truly a sad meeting. For many 
years these two men had known each 
other, and they were warm friends. Their 
methods were somewhat different, but each 
stood for what was just and right and true, 
and each was ready to give his country his 
best service, no matter what the cost. 

It was a sad time for the whole nation, 
and men and women watched the bulletins 
eagerly, hoping and praying that President 
McKinley might recover. Every hour 
there was some slight change, and people 
would talk it over in a whisper. 

In a few days there were hopeful signs, 
and the physicians, deceived by them, said 
they thought the President would recover. 
This was glad news to Theodore Roosevelt. 
Yet he lingered on, fearful to go away, lest 
the news should prove untrue and he should 
be needed. But then there was a still 
brighter turn, and he thought of his own 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 231 

family, and of the fact that one of his chil- 
dren was again ill. 

"I will return to my family," said he 
to two of his closest friends. '*But if I 
am needed here, let me know at once." 
And his friends promised to keep him in- 
formed. Two days later he was back 
among the Adirondacks, in the bosom of 
his family. 

The prayers of a whole nation were in 
vain. William McKinley's mission on earth 
was finished, and one week after he was 
shot he breathed his last. His wife came 
to bid him farewell, and so did his other 
relatives, and his friend of many 3'ears, 
Mark Hanna, and the members of his 
Cabinet. 

"It is God's way," murmnred the dying 
Executive. " His will be done, not ours." 
Then like a child going to sleep, he re- 
lapsed into unconsciousness, from which he 
did not recover. He died September 14, 
1901, at a little after two o'clock in the 
morning. 

It was the last of a truly great life. 
Illustrious men may come and go, but Will- 
iam McKinley will be remembered so long 



232 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

as oiir nation endures. As a soldier and a 
statesman he gave his best talents to better 
the conditions of his fellow-creatures, and 
to place the United States where we justly 
belong, among the truly great nations of 
the world. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 233 



CHAPTER XXIV 

Theodore Roosevelt's Tramp up Mount Marcy — 
A Message of Importance — Wild Midnight 
Ride through the Mountains — On the Spe- 
cial Trains from North Creek to Buffalo 

With a somewhat lighter heart, Theo- 
dore Roosevelt returned to the Adirondacks 
and joined his family on Wednesday, three 
days previous to President McKinley's death. 
The last report he had received from Buffalo 
was the most encouraging of any, and he 
now felt almost certain that the President 
would survive the outrageous attack that 
had been made upon his person. 

" He will get well," said several who 
lived close by. " You need not worry about 
his condition any longer." 

On the following day it was planned to 
go np to Colton Lake, five miles from where 
the family was stopping. Some friends went 
along, and in the party were Mrs. Roosevelt 
and several of the children. Two guides 
accompanied them, and it was decided to 



234 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

spend the night at a camp on the lake, 
returning home the following day. 

The next morning it rained, but in spite 
of this drawback Theodore Roosevelt, leav- 
ing the ladies and children to return to the 
cottage, started to climb Mount Marcy. 
Such an undertaking was exactly to his 
liking, and he went up the rough and 
uneven trail with the vigor of a trained 
woodsman, the guide leading the way and 
the other gentlemen of the party following. 

At last, high up on the side of Mount 
Marcy, the party reached a small body of 
water known as Tear of the Clouds, and 
here they rested for lunch. 

" You are certainly a great walker, Mr. 
Roosevelt," remarked one of the gentlemen 
during the progress of the lunch. 

" Oh, I have to be," answered Theodore 
Roosevelt, jokingly. "A Vice-President 
needs exercise to keep him alive. You 
see, when he is in the Senate, all of his 
work is done sitting down." 

The words had scarcely been uttered 
when one of the party pointed to a man 
climbing up the mountain side toward them. 
The newcomer held some yellow telegram- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 235 

slips in his hand, and Theodore Roosevelt 
quickly arose to receive them. 

He had soon mastered the contents of the 
messages. President McKinley was much 
worse ; it was likely that he would not live. 
For fully a minute Mr. Roosevelt did not 
speak. He realized the great responsibility 
which rested upon his shoulders. Then, in 
a voice filled with emotion, he read the 
messages aloud. 

" Gentlemen," he continued, ^' I must re- 
turn to the club-house at once." And with- 
out waiting, he turned and started down the 
mountain side along the trail by which he 
had come. 

It was a long, hard walk, but it is doubt- 
ful if Theodore Roosevelt took note of it. 
A thousand thoughts must have flashed 
through his mind. If William McKinley 
should indeed breathe his last, the nation 
would look to him as their Chief Magis- 
trate. He could not make himself believe 
that his President was to die. 

It was not long before Theodore Roosevelt 
reached the club-house at the lake. He 
asked for further news, but none was 
forthcoming. 



236 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

" We will send to the lower clul)-lioiise at 
once," said his friends. " You had better 
take a short rest, in case you have a sudden 
call to make the trip to Buffalo." 

A misty rain was falling, and the at- 
mosphere of the mountains was raw and 
penetrating. Messengers were quickly de- 
spatched to the lower club-house, and by 
eleven o'clock that evening news came back 
that left no doubt of the true condition 
of affairs. President McKinley was sink- 
ing rapidly, and his death was now only a 
question of a few hours. 

" I must go, and at once," said Theodore 
Roosevelt. And soon a light wagon drove up 
to the club-house, and he leaped in. There 
was a short good-by to his family and his 
friends, the whip cracked, and the drive of 
thirty-five miles to the nearest railroad 
station was begun. 

It was a never-to-be-forgotten journey. 
For ten miles or more the road was fearfully 
rough and ran around the edges of over- 
hanging cliffs, where a false turn might 
mean deatli. Then at times the road went 
down into deep hollows and over rocky 
hills. All was pitch black, save for the 



THEODORE llOOSEVELT 237 

tiny yellow light hanging over the dash- 
board of the turnout. Crouched on the 
seat, Mr. Roosevelt urged the driver to go 
on, and go on they did, making better time 
during that rain and darkness than had 
before been made in broad daylight. 

At last a place called Hunter's was 
reached, and Theodore Roosevelt alighted. 

" What news have you for me ? " he 
asked of a waiting messenger, and the latest 
message was handed to him. There was 
no new hope, — President McKinley Avas 
sinking faster than ever. New horses were 
obtained, and the second part of the jour- 
ney, from Hunter's to Aiden Lair, was begun. 

And during that wild, swift ride of nine 
miles, when it seemed to Theodore Roose- 
velt as if he were racing against death, the 
angel of Life Everlasting claimed William 
McKinley, and the man crouched in the 
wagon, wet from the rain, hurrying to reach 
him, became the next President of the 
United States. 

It was a little after three in the morning 
when Aiden Lair was reached. The sufferer 
at Buffalo had breathed his last, but Theo- 
dore Roosevelt did not know it, and he still 



238 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

hoped for the best. More fresh horses, and 
now the last sixteen miles of the rough 
journey were made on a buckboard. In 
spots the road was worse than it had pre- 
viously been, and the driver was tempted to 
go slow. 

'' Go on ! " cried Mr. Roosevelt, and held 
his watch in hand. "Go on ! " And the 
driver obeyed, the buckboard dancing up and 
down over the rocks and swinging danger- 
ously from side to side around the curves of 
ravines. But Theodore Roosevelt's mind 
was not on the road nor on the peril of that 
ride, but in that room in Buffalo where the 
great tragedy had just seen its completion. 

At last, a little after five in the morning, 
the turnout came in sight of the railroad 
station at North Creek. A special train 
was in waiting for him. He gazed anx- 
iously at the little knot of people assembled. 
Their very faces told him the sorrowful 
truth. President McKinley was dead. 

With bowed head he entered a private 
car of the special train, and without delay 
the train started on its journey southward 
for Albany. No time was lost on this 
portion of the trip, and at seven o'clock 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 239 

Theodore Roosevelt reached the city in 
which but a short time before he had pre- 
sided as Governor of the State. 

At Albany he was met by Secretary of 
State Hay, who informed him officially that 
President McKinley was no more. He like- 
wise informed the Vice-President that, con- 
sidering the excitement, it might be best 
that Mr. Roosevelt be sworn in as President 
without delay. 

Another special train was in waiting at 
Albany, and this was rushed westward with 
all possible speed, arriving in Buffalo at half- 
past one in the afternoon. In order to avoid 
the tremendous crowd at the Union railroad 
station, Mr. Roosevelt alighted at the Ter- 
race station. Here he was met by several 
friends with a carriage and also a detach- 
ment of the Fourth Signal Corps and a 
squad of mounted police. 

Without loss of time Theodore Roosevelt 
was driven to the Millburn house. Here he 
found a great many friends and relatives of 
the dead President assembled. All were 
too shocked over what had occurred to say 
much, and shook the hand of the coming 
President in silence. 



240 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Thousands of eyes were upon Theodore 
Roosevelt, but he noticed them not. Enter- 
ing the Millburn house, he thought only of 
the one who had surrendered his life while 
doing his duty, and of that kind and patient 
woman now left to fight the battles of this 
w^orld alone. He offered what consolation 
he could to Mrs. McKinley, heard the little 
that had not yet been told of that final 
struggle to fight off death, and then took his 
departure, to assume the high office thus 
suddenly and unexpectedly thrust upon 
him. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 241 



CHAPTER XXV 

Takes the Oath as President — The New Chief 
Magistrate at the Funeral of President 
McKiNLEY — At the White House — How the 
First Real Working Day was Spent 

The new President took the oath of office 
at the residence of Mr. Ansley Wilcox in 
Buffalo. It is a fine, substantial mansion 
and has ever since been of historic interest 
to sight-seers. 

When he arrived at the Wilcox home, he 
found a number of members of the McKinley 
Cabinet awaiting him, as well as Judge 
John R. Hazel, of the United States District 
Court, who administered the oath; and ten 
or a dozen others. 

The scene was truly an affecting one. 
Secretary Root could scarcely control him- 
self, for, twenty years before, he had been at 
a similar scene, when Vice-President Aiihur 
became Chief Magistrate, after the assassi- 
nation of President Garfield. In a voice 
filled with emotion he requested Vice-Presi- 



242 AMERICAN boys'' LIFE OF 

dent Roosevelt, on behalf of the Cabinet as 
a whole, to take the prescribed oath. 

It is recorded by an eye-witness that 
Theodore Roosevelt was pale, and that his 
eyes were dim with tears, as he stepped for- 
ward to do as bidden. His hand was up- 
lifted, and then in a solemn voice the judge 
began the oath : — 

" I do solemnly swear that I will faith- 
fully execute the office of President of the 
United States, and will, to the best of my 
ability, preserve, protect, and defend the 
Constitution of the United States." 

The words were repeated in a low but 
distinct voice by Theodore Roosevelt, and a 
moment of utter silence followed. 

"Mr. President, please attach yom' sig- 
nature," went on the judge. And in a firm 
hand the new Chief Executive wrote '• Theo- 
dore Roosevelt " at the bottom of the all- 
important document which made him the 
President of our beloved country. 

Standing in that room, the President fo-lt 
the great responsibility which now rested 
on his shoulders, and turning to those be- 
fore him, he spoke as follows : — 

" In this hour of deep and terrible be- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 243 

reavement, I wish to state that it shall be 
my aim to continue absolutely unbroken 
the policy of President McKinley for the 
peace and prosperity and honor of our 
country." 

These were no mere words, as his actions 
immediately afterward prove. On reaching 
Washington he assembled the Cabinet at 
the home of Commander Cowles, his brother- 
in-law, and there spoke to them somewhat in 
this strain : — 

" I wish to make it clear to you, gentle- 
men, that what I said at Buffalo I meant. 
I want each of you to remain as a member 
of my Cabinet. I need your advice and 
counsel. I tender you the office in the 
same manner that I would tender it if I 
were entering upon the discharge of my 
duties as the result of an election by the 
people." Having thus declared himself, 
the newly made President asked each mem- 
ber personally to stay with him. It was a 
sincere request, and the Cabinet members 
all agreed to remain by Mr. Roosevelt and 
aid him exactly as they had been aiding 
Mr. McKinley. Thus was it shown to the 
world at large, and especially to the anar- 



244 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

chists, of which the assassm of McKinley 
had been one, that though the President 
might be slain, the government still lived. 

The entire country was prostrate over 
the sudden death of President McKinley, 
and one of the first acts of Theodore Roose- 
velt, after assuming the responsibilities 
of his office, was to issue the following 
proclamation : — 

" A terrible bereavement has befallen our 
people. The President of the United States 
has been struck down ; a crime committed 
not only against the Chief Magistrate, but 
against every law-abiding and liberty-loving 
citizen. 

"President McKinley crowned a life of 
largest love for his fellow-men, of most 
earnest endeavor for their welfare, by a 
death of Christian fortitude ; and both the 
way in which he lived his life and the way 
in which, in the supreme hour of trial, he 
met his death, will remain forever a precious 
heritage of our people. 

" It is meet that we, as a nation, express 
our abiding love and reverence for his life, 
our deep sorrow for liis untimely death. 

" Now, therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 245 

President of the United States, do appoint 
Thursday next, September 19, the day in 
which the body of the dead President will 
be laid in its last earthly resting-place, a 
day of mourning and prayer throughout the 
United States. 

" I earnestly recommend all the people to 
assemble on that day in their respective 
places of divine worship, there to bow down 
in submission to the will of Almighty God, 
and to pay out of full hearts their homage 
of love and reverence to the great and good 
President whose death has smitten the na- 
tion with bitter grief." 

The funeral of President McKinley was a 
most imposing one. The body was at first 
laid in state in the City Hall at Buffalo, 
where President Roosevelt and fully a hun- 
dred and fifty thousand men, women, and 
children went to view the remains. From 
Bu:ffalo the remains were taken by special 
funeral train to Washington, and there 
placed in the Rotunda of the Capitol. Here 
the crowd was equally great, and here the 
services were attended by representatives 
from almost every civilized nation on the 
globe. Outside a marine band was sta- 



246 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

tioned, playing the dead President's favorite 
hymns, " Lead, Kindly Light " and " Nearer, 
my God, to Thee," and in the singing of 
these thousands of mourners joined, while 
the tears of sorrow streamed down thek 
faces. 

From Washington the body of the mar- 
tyred President was taken to Canton, Ohio, 
where had been his private home. Here 
his friends and neighbors assembled to do 
him final honor, and great arches of green 
branches and flowers were erected, under 
which the funeral cortege passed. As the 
body was placed in the receiving vault, 
business throughout the entire United 
States was suspended. In spirit, eighty 
millions of people were surrounding the 
mortal clay left by the passing of a soul to 
the place whence it had come. It was truly 
a funeral of which the greatest of kings 
might well be proud. 

The taking-off of President McKinley un- 
doubtedly had a great effect upon President 
Roosevelt. During the Presidential cam- 
paign the Vice-Presidential nominee had 
made many speeches in behalf of his fel- 
low candidate, showing the high personal 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 247 

character of McKinley, and what might be 
expected from the man in case he was elected 
once more to the office of Chief Magistrate. 
More than this, when Assistant Secretary of 
the Navy, Mr. Roosevelt had done his best 
to carry out the plans formulated by the 
President. The two were close friends, and 
in the one brief session of the Senate when 
he was Vice-President, Mr. Roosevelt gave 
to President McKinley many evidences of 
his high regard. 

On returning to Washington, President 
Roosevelt did not at once take up his resi- 
dence at the White House, preferring that 
the place should be left to Mrs. McKinley 
until she had sufficiently recovered from her 
terrible shock to arrange for the removal of 
the family's personal effects. 

As it may interest some of my young 
readers to know how President Roosevelt's 
first day as an active President was spent, 
I append the following, taken down at the 
time by a reporter for a press association: — 

" Reached the White House from Canton, 
on September 20, 1901, at 9.40 a.m. Went 
at once to the private office formerly occu- 
pied by President McKinley, and, as speedily 



248 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

as possible, settled down for the business of 
the day. 

" Met Secretary Long of the navy in 
the cabinet room and held a discussion con- 
cerning naval matters ; received Colonel 
Sanger to talk over some army appoint- 
ments ; signed appointments of General J. 
M. Bell and others ; met Senators Cullom 
and Proctor. 

" At 11 A.M. called for the first time for- 
mal meeting of the Cabinet and transacted 
business of that body until 12.30 p.m. 

" Received his old friend, General "Wood, 
and held conference with him and with Sec- 
retary Root in regard to Cuban election 
laws. 

" President Roosevelt left the White 
House at 1.20 p.m. to take lunch with Sec- 
retary Hay at the latter's residence. He 
was alone, disregarding the services of a 
body-guard. 

"Returned to the White House at 3.30 
P.M. and transacted business with some offi- 
cials and received a few personal friends. 

" Engaged with Secretary Cortelyou from 
4 P.M. to 6.30 P.M. in the transaction of 
public business, disposal of mail, etc. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 249 

"Left the White House imattended at 
6.30 P.M. and walked through the semi-dark 
streets of Washington to 1733 N Street, 
N. W., the residence of his brother-in-law, 
Commander Cowles. Dined in private with 
the family. 

" Late in the evening received a few close 
friends. Retired at 11 p.m." 

It will be observed that special mention 
is made of the fact that President Roosevelt 
travelled around alone. Immediately after 
the terrible tragedy at Buffalo many citizens 
were of the opinion that the Chief Magis- 
trate of our nation ought to be strongly 
protected, for fear of further violence, but 
to this Theodore Roosevelt would not 
listen. 

" I am not afraid," he said calmly. " We 
are living in a peaceful country, and the 
great mass of our people are orderly, law- 
abiding citizens. I can trust them, and take 
care of myself." And to this he held, despite 
the protestations of his closest friends. Of 
course he is scarcely ever without some guard 
or secret service detective close at hand, but 
no outward display of such protection is 
permitted. And let it l3e added to the credit 



250 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

of our people that, though a few cranks and 
crazy persons have caused him a little an- 
noyance, he has never, up to the present 
time, been molested in any way. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 251 



CHAPTER XXVI 

Continuing the Work begun by President Mc- 
KiNLEY — The Panama Canal Agitation — Visit 
OF Prince Henry of Prussia — The President at 
THE Charleston Exposition 

President Roosevelt had said he would 
continue the policy inaugurated by President 
McKinley, and one of the important steps 
in this direction was to appoint many to 
office who had been expecting appointment 
at the hands of the martyred President. 
This gained him many friends, and soon 
some who had kept themselves at a distance 
flocked around, to aid him in every possible 
manner. 

Late in September the last of the Mc- 
Kinley effects were taken from the White 
House, and some days later the newly made 
President moved in, with his family, who 
had come down from the Adirondacks some 
time previous. In Washington the family 
were joined by Mr. Roosevelt's two brothers- 
in-law, Commander Wm. Sheffield Cowles 



252 AMERICAN BOTS' LIFE OF 

and Mr. Douglas Robinson, and their wives, 
and the relatives remained together for some 
days. 

It was at first feared by some politicians 
that President Roosevelt would be what is 
termed a "sectional President," — that is, 
that he would favor one section of our coun- 
try to the exclusion of the others, but he 
soon proved that he was altogether too noble 
for such baseness. 

" I am going to be President of the whole 
United States," he said. " I don't care for 
sections or sectional lines. I was bom in 
the North, but my mother was from the 
South, and I have spent much of my time 
in the West, so I think I can fairly repre- 
sent the whole country." 

President Roosevelt sympathized deeply 
with the condition of the negroes in the 
South, and for the purpose of learning the 
true state of affairs sent for Mr. Booker T. 
Washington, one of the foremost colored 
men of this country and founder of the 
Tuskegee Industrial School for Colored 
People. They had a long conference at 
the White House, which Mr. Washington 
enjoyed very much. For this action many 




Pkesidknt KoosEVKi/r at His Dksk. 



mmmmmmmm^mtmm 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 253 

criticised the President severely, but to this 
he paid no attention, satisfied that he had 
done his duty as his conscience dictated. 

President Roosevelt's first message to 
Congress was awaited with considerable 
interest. It was remembered that he was 
ohe youngest Executive our White House 
had ever known, and many were curious to 
know what he would say and what he pro- 
posed to do. 

The Fifty-seventh Congress of the United 
States assembled at Washington, December 
2, 1901, and on the day following. President 
Roosevelt's first annual message was read in 
both Senate and House of Representatives. 

It proved to be a surprisingly long and 
strong state paper, and by many was con- 
sidered one of the best messages sent to 
Congress in many years. It touched upon 
general conditions in our country, spoke for 
improvements in the army and the navy, 
called for closer attention to civil service 
reform, for a correction of the faults in the 
post-office system, and for a clean adminis- 
tration in the Philippines, Hawaii, and Porto 
Rico. It spoke of several great needs of 
the government, and added that the Gold 



254 AMEBIC AN boys' LIFE OF 

Standard Act had been found timely and 
judicious. 

" President Roosevelt is all right," was 
the general comment, after the message had 
been printed in the various papers of our 
country. " He is looking ahead, and he 
knows exactly what this country wants and 
needs. We are prosperous now, and if we 
want to continue so, we must keep our hands 
on the plough, and not look backward." 

The first break in the old Cabinet 
occurred on December 17, when Postmaster 
General Charles E. Smith resigned. His place 
was immediately filled by the appointment 
of Henry C. Payne, of Wisconsin. Soon 
after this Secretary Gage of the Treasury 
resigned, and his place was filled by former 
governor Leslie M. Shaw, of Iowa. 

For a long time there had been before 
the American people various suggestions 
to build a canal across Central America, to 
join the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, so 
that the ships wanting to go from one body 
of water to the other would not have to 
take the long and expensive trip around 
Cape Horn. 

In years gone by the French had also 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 255 

contemplated such a canal, and had even 
gone to work at the Isthmus of Panama, 
making an elaborate survey and domg not 
a little digging. But the work was beyond 
them, and the French Canal Company soon 
ran out of funds and went into the hands 
of a receiver. 

" We ought to take hold and dig a canal," 
was heard on all sides in the United States. 
But where to dig the canal was a question. 
Some said the Isthmus of Panama was the 
best place, while others preferred a route 
through Nicaragua. The discussion waxed 
very warm, and at last a Commission was 
appointed to go over both routes and find 
out which would be the more satisfactory 
from every point of view. 

The Commission was not very long in 
reaching a decision. The Panama Canal 
Company was willing to sell out all its inter- 
est in the work already done for forty millions 
of dollars, and it was recommended that the 
United States accept this offer. President 
Roosevelt received the report, and lost no 
time in submitting it to Congress. 

At the beginning of the new year, 1902, 
there was a grand ball at the White House, 



256 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

attended by a large gathering of people, 
including many of the foreign representa- 
tives accredited to Washington. The oc- 
casion was the introduction into society of 
Miss Alice Roosevelt, and the affair was a 
most pleasing one from beginning to end. 

One of the President's sons, Theodore 
Roosevelt, Jr., had been sent to a boarding 
school at Groton, Massachusetts. Early in 
February he was taken down with a cold 
that developed into pneumonia. It looked 
as if the youth might die, and both Mrs. 
Roosevelt and the President lost no time in 
leaving Washington and going to his bed- 
side. The sympathy of the whole country 
was with the anxious parents, and when it 
was announced that the crisis had been 
passed in safety there was much relief in all 
quarters. 

Before this illness occurred there came to 
the Roosevelts an invitation which pleased 
them, and especially Miss Alice, not a little. 
The German Emperor William was having 
a yacht built in this country, at Shooter's 
Island. He sent his brother. Prince Henry 
of Prussia, over to attend the launching, 
and requested Miss Roosevelt to christen 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 257 

the yaclit, which was to be called the 
Ifeteor. 

The arrival of Prince Henry was made a 
gala day by many who wished to see the 
friendship between the United States and 
Germany more firmly cemented than ever, 
and the royal visitor was treated with every 
consideration wherever he went. From 
New York he jom'neyed to Washington, 
where he dined with the President. He 
retm^ned to New York with President 
Roosevelt and with Miss Roosevelt, and on 
February 25 the launching occurred, m the 
presence of thousands of people and a great 
many craft of all sorts. Miss Roosevelt 
performed the christening in appropriate 
style, and this was followed by music from 
a band and the blowing of hundreds of 
steam whistles. After these ceremonies 
were over, there followed an elaborate dinner 
given by the mayor of New York, and then 
the Prince started on a tour of the country 
lasting two weeks. His visit made a good 
impression wherever he went, and he was 
universally put down as a right good 
fellow. 

It was about this time that President 



258 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

Roosevelt showed he was not to be led alto- 
gether by what his party did. So far he 
had not vetoed any measures sent to him 
for his signature. Now, however, a bill 
came to him touching the desertion of a 
sailor in the navy. Congress was willing 
to strike the black record of the sailor from 
the books, but President Roosevelt would 
not have it. 

" The sailor did wrong," he said. " He 
knew what he was doing, too. The record 
against him must stand." And he vetoed 
the bill. On the other hand he was prompt 
to recognize real worth in those who had 
served the government, and when over two 
hundred private pension bills came before 
him for his approval, he signed them with- 
out a murmur. 

The people of Charleston, South Carolina, 
had been arranging for a long time to hold 
an exposition which should set forth the 
real advance and v/orth of the leading 
southern industries. This exposition was 
now open to the public, and President 
Roosevelt and his wife were invited to 
attend the exhibit. With so much south- 
ern blood in his veins, the President could 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 259 

not think of refusing, and he and Mrs. 
Roosevelt visited the exposition early in 
April. 

It was a gala day at Charleston, and the 
President and Mrs. Roosevelt were received 
with every honor due their rank, and with 
great personal consideration. Governor Mc- 
Sweeney of the state was assisted by Gov- 
ernor Aycock, of North Carolina, in receiving 
President Roosevelt. 

A stirring patriotic speech was made by 
the President during his visit, and a fea- 
ture of the trip was the presentation of a 
sword to Major Micah Jenkins of the 
Rough Riders. A great number of Presi- 
dent Roosevelt's former troopers were pres- 
ent, and all were glad, as of old, to crowd 
around and take him by the hand. 



260 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



CHAPTER XXVII 

Destruction of St. Pierre — American Aid — The 
Great Coal Strike — President Roosevelt ends 
the Difficulty — Tour through New England 
— The Trolley Accident in the Berkshires — 
A Providential Escape from Death 

During the summer of 1902 two mcatters 
of great importance occmTed in which the 
whole people of our nation were deeply 
interested. 

Early in May occurred tremendous vol- 
canic eruptions on the islands of Martinique 
and St. Vincent. At the former island, 
Mont Pelee threw such a rain of lire upon 
the town of St. Pierre that the entire place, 
with about thirty thousand jDCople, was 
wiped out of existence in a minute. At 
other points the eruptions were not so bad, 
yet hundreds lost their lives, and all of the 
islands of the Lesser Antilles were thrown 
into a state bordering upon panic. 

It was felt that something must be done, 
and at once, for the sufferers, and a large 
fund for relief was gathered, of which the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 261 

Americans contributed their full share. 
The volcanic disturbances contmued for 
some time, and as it was thought they 
might also cover certain portions of Central 
America, nothing was done further concern- 
ing a canal to unite the two oceans. 

The other event of importance was the 
strilve of thousands upon thousands of 
coal-miners, working in Pennsylvania and 
other states. The miners did not think 
they were being treated rightly and went 
out in a body, and for many weeks not a 
poimd of coal of any kind was mined. This 
produced a double hardship, for people 
could get no coal either for the fall or 
winter, and the miners were, in some cases, 
reduced almost to the verge of starvation. 
Neither the workmen nor the operators of 
the mines would give in, and soon there 
was more or less violence, and some sol- 
diers had to be called out in an effort to 
preserve order. 

As matters went from bad to worse, and 
it looked as if the entire eastern section of 
our country would have to go without coal 
for the winter, there were loud demands 
that the government take hold of the dif- 



262 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

ficulty and settle the matter, if not in one 
way, then in another. 

At last, early in October, the whole coun- 
try was aroused, for it was felt that with 
no coal a winter of untold suffering stared 
the people in the face. President Roosevelt 
held a conference at Washington with the 
mine operators and the representatives of 
the miners. 

" We must get together, gentlemen," 
said he. " The country cannot do without 
coal, and you must supply it to us." And 
he laid down the law in a manner not to 
be misunderstood. 

Another conference followed, and then a 
third, and at last the coal operators asked 
the President to appoint a Commission to 
decide upon the points in dispute. To this 
the representative of the mine workers 
agreed, and as a result a Commission was 
appointed by President Roosevelt, Avhich 
was to settle all points in dispute, and by 
its decision each side was to abide. In 
the meantime, while the Commission was 
at work, the mine workers were to resume 
their labors. The mines were thereupon 
once more put in operation, after a strike 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 263 

lasting over five months. This is the 
greatest coal strike known in American 
history, and it is not likely that the peojole 
at large will ever again permit themselves 
to suffer for the want of coal as they did 
during that fall and the winter which 
followed. 

Early in June occurred the centennial 
celebration of the founding of the United 
States Military Academy at West Point. 
The occasion was made one of great inter- 
est, and among the many distinguished 
visitors were President Roosevelt and Gen- 
eral Miles, head of our army at that time. 
The President reviewed the cadets and 
made a speech to them, complimenting 
them on their truly excellent showing as 
soldiers. 

Although very busy with matters of 
state, President Roosevelt received an 
urgent call to deliver a Fourth of July 
oration at Pittsburg. He consented, and 
spoke to a vast assemblage on the rights 
and duties of American citizens. 

To remain in Washington during the hot 
summer months was out of the question 
with President Roosevelt and his fa mil v, 



264 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

and early in the season he removed to 
Oyster Bay, there to enjoy himself as best 
he might during the short time allowed 
him for recreation. 

That the business of the administration 
might not be too seriously interrupted, he 
hired a few rooms over a bank building in 
the village of Oyster Bay, and these were 
fitted up for hmiself and his several secre- 
taries and assistants. To the bank build- 
ing he rode or drove every day, spending 
an hour or more over the routine work re- 
quired. By this means undesirable visitors 
were kept away from his private residence, 
and he was permitted to enjoy himself as 
he pleased in company with his family. 

While Mr. Roosevelt was summering at 
Oyster Bay, it was arranged that he should 
make a short tour through New England, 
to last fi'om August 22 to September 3. 
The trip covered every New England State, 
and was one of great pleasure to the Presi- 
dent until the last day. Everywhere he 
went he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds, 
and, of course, had to make one of his 
characteristic speeches, accompanied by a 
great deal of hand-shaking. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 265 

On the last day of the trip he was at 
Dal ton, Massachusetts, the home of Gov- 
ernor Crane. It had been planned to drive 
from Dalton to Lenox, a beautiful spot, 
adjoining Lam-el Lake, where are located 
the summer homes of many American 
millionnaires. 

The trip was begun without a thought 
of what was to follow. In the party, be- 
sides President Roosevelt, w^ere Governor 
Crane, Secretary Cortelyou (afterward 
made a member of the Cabinet), United 
States Secret Service officer William Craig, 
and the driver of the carriage. It may 
be mentioned here that William Craig was 
detailed as a special guard for the President, 
and had been with him since the tour was 
begun. 

There are a number of trolley lines in 
this section of Massachusetts, all centring 
in Pittsfield. As the mass of the people 
were very anxious to see President Roose- 
velt, the trolleys going to the points where 
he would pass were crowded, and the cars 
were run with more than usual speed. 

As the carriage containing the President 
and his companions attempted to cross the 



266 AMERICAN BOYS" LIFE OF 

trolley tracks a car came bounding along 
at a rapid rate of speed. There seemed to 
be no time in which to stop the car, and in 
an instant the long and heavy affair crashed 
into the carriage with all force, hurling the 
occupants to the street in all directions. 
The Secret Service officer, William Craig, 
was instantly killed, and the driver of the 
carriage was seriously hurt. 

There was immediate and great excite- 
ment, and for the time being it was feared 
that President Roosevelt had been seriously 
injured. He had been struck a sharp blow 
on the leg, and had fallen on his face, cut- 
ting it not a little. The shock was a severe 
one, but in a little while he was himself once 
more, although his face was much swollen. 
Later still a small abscess formed on the in- 
jured limb, but this was skilfully treated by 
his physician, and soon disappeared. The 
others in the carriage escaped with but a 
few bruises and a general shaking-up. 

The result of this accident, small as it 
was to the President personally, showed 
well how firmly he was seated in the affec- 
tion of his fellow-citizens. From all over 
the country, as well as from his friends in 



THEOBOBE ROOSEVELT 267 

foreign climes, telegrams of congratula- 
tion came pouring in. Everybody was 
glad that he had escaped, and everybody 
wished to show how he felt over the 
affair. 

"President Roosevelt was much affected 
by the messages received," said one who 
was in a position to know. " It showed 
him that his friends were in every walk of 
life, from the highest to the lowest. Had 
he met death, as did the Secret Service offi- 
cer detailed to guard over him, the shock to 
the people, coming so soon after the assas- 
sination of President McKinley, would have 
been tremendous." 

The President had already been persuaded 
to consent to a short trip to the South, from 
September 5 to 10, and then a trip to the 
West, lasting until September 19, or longer. 
The trips came to an end on September 23, 
in Indiana, because of the abscess on the 
lower limb already mentioned, yet on No- 
vember 19 he was given a grand reception 
by the people of Memphis, Tennessee, who 
flocked around him and were glad to see 
him as well as ever. 

" We are so glad you escaped from that 



268 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

trolley accident ! " was heard a hundred 
times. 

" We can't afford to lose yon, Mr. Presi- 
dent," said others. " Really good men are 
too scarce." And then a cheer would go 
up for " The hero of San Juan Hill ! " 

His speeches on these trips were largely 
about the trusts and monopolies that are 
trying to control various industries of our 
country. It is an intricate subject, 3''et it 
can be said that Mr. Roosevelt understands 
it as well as any one, and is laboring hard 
to do what is right and best, both for the 
consumer and the capitalist. 

Congress had, some time before, voted a 
large sum for the extension and improve- 
ment of the White House, and while Mr. 
Roosevelt and his family were at Oyster 
Bay these improvements were begun. 
They continued dm'ing the fall, and the 
President made his temporary home at a 
private residence in the capital city. Here 
it was he was treated for his wounded limb, 
and here he ended the coal strike, as already 
chronicled. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 269 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

New Offices at the White House — Sends a 
Wireless Message to King Edward of Eng- 
land — End of the Trouble in Venezuela — 
The Canadian Boundary Dispute — Beginning 
of a Trip to the West — In Yellowstone 
Park 

The end of the year found President 
Roosevelt in the best of health, despite 
the accident some weeks previous. The 
improvements at the White House were 
now complete, and the family of the Chief 
Magistrate took possession. A separate set 
of offices for the President and his Cabinet 
had been built at the western end of the 
executive mansion, and the rooms formerly 
used for this purpose were turned into liv- 
ing apartments. The changes made have 
been approved by many who have seen 
them, and they have wondered why the 
alterations were not made a long time ago. 

On December 1, Congress assembled for a 
new session, and on the day following the 
President's messao;e was read. It was a 
masterly state paper, dealing with the trust 



270 AMERICAN BOYS" LIFE OF 

question, our relations with the new gov- 
ernment of Cuba (for the island was now 
free, just as we had meant it to be when 
the war with Spain started), the creation of 
a new department of Commerce and Labor, 
needs of the army and navy, and the all- 
important matter of how the Philippines 
should be governed. It may be added here 
that not long after this a Department of 
Commerce and Labor was created by Con- 
gress, and Mr. George B. Cortelyou, the 
secretary to the President, became its first 
official head. When Mr. Cortelyou left his 
post as secretary, Mr. William Loeb, Jr., 
who had been the President's private sec- 
retary for some time, became the regular 
first secretary to the Chief Magistrate, a 
place he occupies to-day. 

Just about this time there was consider- 
able trouble in Indianola, Mississippi. A 
colored young lady had been appointed 
postmistress, and the people in that vicin- 
ity refused to recognize her. The Post- 
Office Department did what it could in 
the matter, and then referred the case to 
the President. 

"As she has been regularly appointed, 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 



271 



the people will have to accept her," said 
Mr. Roosevelt. And when there was more 
trouble, he sent forward an order that the 
post-office be shut up entirely. This was 
done, and for a long time the people of that 
vicinity had to get their mail elsewhere, a 
great inconvenience to them. 

On January 1, 1903, the new cable to the 
Hawaiian Islands was completed, and Presi- 
dent Roosevelt received a message from 
Governor Dole, and sent a reply to the 
same. About two weeks later the Presi- 
dent sent a wireless, or rather cableless, 
message to King Edward of England. This 
helped to mark the beginning of a new era 
in message-sending which may cause great 
changes in the transmission of messages in 
the future. 

For some time past there had been a 
small-sized war going on in Venezuela, 
South America, between that nation on one 
hand and England, Germany, and Italy on 
the other. This war had caused much dis- 
turbance to American trade. Pressure was 
brought to bear upon the several nations 
through President Roosevelt, and at last it 
was agreed to leave matters to be settled by 



272 AMETtlCAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

arbitration at The Hague. The agreements 
to this end were signed at Washington, 
much to the President's satisfaction. All 
trouble then ceased, and American com- 
merce was resumed as before. 

For many years there had been a dispute 
between the United States and Canada, 
regarding a certain boundary line. This 
country claimed a long strip of territory 
next to the sea, near the seaports of Dyea 
and Skagway, and Canada claimed that 
this strip, about thirty miles in width, be- 
longed to her domain. 

There had been endless disputes about 
the claim, and considerable local trouble, 
especially during the rush to the Klondike 
after gold. 

Many Americans contended that we had 
absolute right to the territory, and when 
arbitration was spoken of, said we had 
nothing to arbitrate. This was, in the 
main. President Roosevelt's view of the 
matter, yet, as things grew more disturbed, 
he realized, as a good business man, that 
something must be done. We did not wish 
to fight Canada and England for the strip 
of land, and neither did they wish to fight. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 273 

SO at last a Board of Arbitration was agreed 
upon, and the claims of both parties were 
carefully investigated. In the end nearly 
every point claimed by the United States 
was granted to us. It was a great satisfac- 
tion to have this long-standing dispute set- 
tled ; and how much better it was to do it 
by arbitration than by going to war. 

The regular session of Congress came to 
an end on March 4, 1903, but President 
Roosevelt had already called an extra ses- 
sion, to consider a bill for reciprocity in our 
dealing with the new government of Cuba 
and to ratify a treaty with Colombia con- 
cerning the Panama Canal. 

There was a great deal of debating at this 
session of Congress. The bill concerning 
Cuba caused but little trouble, but many 
wanted the canal placed in Nicaragua in- 
stead of Panama, and did not wish to pay 
the forty millions of dollars asked for the 
work already accomplished by the old French 
Canal Company. But in the end the bill 
passed the United States Senate by a vote 
of seventy-tlu-ee to five, with the proviso 
that should we fail to make a satisfactory 
arrangement about the Panama Canal, then 



274 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

the government should build the canal 
through Nicaragua. President Roosevelt 
was enthusiastic over a canal at the isthmus, 
and lost no time in arranging to push the 
work further. 

The people of the far West were very 
anxious to meet the chief ruler of our 
nation, and early in the year it was ar- 
ranged that President Roosevelt should 
leave Washington on April 1 for a tour 
to last until June. In that time he was to 
visit more than twenty States, and make 
over one hundred stops. The people in 
the West awaited his coming with much 
pleasure. 

The President was justly entitled to this 
outing, for the nation was now at peace 
with the entu^e world, and never had busi- 
ness been so prosperous. More than this, 
our affairs with other nations had been so 
handled that throughout the entire civilized 
world no ruler was more popular than was 
Theodore Roosevelt. In England he was 
spoken of with the highest praise, and the 
regards of the Germans had already been 
shown in the visit of Prince Henry to this 
country. He was known to be vigorous to 



THEODORE EOOSEVELT 275 

the last degree, but it was likewise realized 
that he was thoroughly honest and straight- 
forward. 

The first stop of the President in his trip 
West was made at Chicago, where during 
the day he laid the corner-stone of the new 
law building of the University of Chicago, 
which university conferred upon him the 
degree of LL.D. (Doctor of Laws). In the 
evening he addressed an unusually large 
crowd at the Auditorium building, speaking 
upon the Monroe Doctrine. 

From Chicago the President journeyed 
to Milwaukee, and then to St. Paul and 
Minneapolis. At the first-named city he 
made a forceful address on the trusts, giving 
his hearers a clear idea of how the great 
corporations of to-day were brought into 
existence, and what may be done to con- 
trol them, and in the last-named city he 
spoke on the ever-important question of 
tariff. 

It was an eventful week, and when Sun- 
day came the Chief Magistrate was glad 
enough to take a day of rest at Sioux Falls, 
South Dakota. From there he journeyed 
to Gardiner, Montana, one of the entrances 



276 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

to that greatest of all American wonder- 
lands, Yellowstone Park. 

It was understood that President Roose- 
velt wished to visit the Park without a 
great following of the general public, and 
this wish was carried out to the letter. Mr. 
Roosevelt had with him the well-known 
naturalist, Mr. John Burroughs, and for 
about two weeks he enjoyed himself to his 
heart's content, visiting many of the spots 
of interest and taking it easy whenever he 
felt so disposed. It was not a hunting trip, 
although big game is plentiful enough in the 
Park. It was just getting " near to nature's 
heart," and Mr. Roosevelt afterward de- 
clared it to be one of the best outings he 
had ever experienced. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 277 



CHAPTER XXIX 

Dedication of the Fair Buildings at St. Louis — 
Continuation of the Trip to San Francisco — 
Up in the Far North-West — Back in Wash- 
ington — The Post-office Scandals — The New 
Republic of Panama — A Canal at Last — Proc- 
lamation regarding the War between Japan 
AND Russia — Opening of the Great Fair 

After the refreshing tour of Yellowstone 
Park, President Roosevelt journeyed across 
Nebraska to Omaha, then across Iowa to 
Keokuk, and from the latter city to St. 
Louis. 

As before, he delivered a number of ad- 
dresses, and wherever he spoke great crowds 
came to see and to hear him. In these 
crowds were people of all political ten- 
dencies, but it made no difference if they 
were Republicans, Democrats, or Populists, 
all were equally glad to greet the President 
of the United States and the hero of San 
Juan Hill. 

On this trip he frequently met some of 
the Rough Riders, and they invariably did 



278 AMERICAN BOYS LIFE OF 

all in their power to make him feel at home. 
On the other hand he showed that he had 
not forgotten them. 

" By George, I am glad to see you ! " he 
would exclaim, catching an old comrade by 
the hand. And his tone of voice would 
show that he meant just what he said. 

For a long time the people of St. Louis 
had been preparing for a grand fair, to be 
known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposi- 
tion, to commemorate the purchasing from 
France of all that vast territory of the 
United States which lies between the Mis- 
sissippi River and the Rocky Mountains and 
the Gulf of Mexico and British America. 
The purchase was made in 1803 for fifteen 
millions of dollars, and it was hoped to hold 
the exposition on the one himdredth anni- 
versary, in 1903, but matters were delayed, 
and so the fair was postponed until 1904. 

The dedication of the fair buildings at 
the Exposition Grounds was held on April 
30, 1903, and was made a gala occasion by 
those interested. President Roosevelt was 
invited to speak, and also Ex-President 
Cleveland, and both made addresses of re- 
markable interest. Following the dedica- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 279 

tion exercises a grand banquet was given at 
which the scene of good-fellowship was one 
not readily forgotten. The President wished 
the exposition well, and promised to do all 
in his power to make it a success. 

Although the President had already trav- 
elled many miles, the greater part of his 
western trip still lay before him. 

From St. Louis he went to Kansas City 
and to Topeka, where the citizens were as 
anxious to meet him as anywhere. He 
stopped at Sharon Springs over Sunday, 
and then went to Denver, and to various 
towns in Colorado and in New Mexico. 
While in New Mexico he became interested 
in the systems of irrigation there, and told 
the people what they might do if their sys- 
tems of watering the ground were increased. 

Having passed through the Grand Canon, 
the second week in May found him in south- 
em California. He visited Los Angeles, re- 
viewing the annual floral parade, and many 
other points, and at Claremont addressed a 
great gathering of school children in a beau- 
tiful park filled with shrubs and flowers. 
The children were decidedly enthusiastic 
over the meeting, and when Mr. Roosevelt 



280 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

went away, some pelted him with flowers, 
which bombardment he took in good part. 

President Roosevelt's visit to Leland Stan- 
ford Jr. University in California came next, 
and here the students cheered him with 
vigor. He visited many of the more impor- 
tant buildings, and was entertained by mem- 
bers of the faculty. 

His face was now set toward the Golden 
Gate, and San Francisco was all alive to 
give him an ovation. It was his first offi- 
cial visit to the Pacific coast, and all whom 
he met vied with each other to do him honor, 
while they listened with great attention to 
what he had to say. 

Three days were spent in San Francisco 
and vicinity, and three days more in a tour 
of the Yosemite Valley. President Roose- 
velt was particularly anxious to see some of 
the big trees of the State, and was driven to 
several that are well known. 

The steps of the Chief Magistrate were 
now turned northward, to Oregon, and a 
week was spent at Portland, and in the 
towns and cities of the Puget Sound terri- 
tory, and beyond. Here he saw much that 
was new and novel in the lumber trade and 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 281 

in the salmon industry, and was received 
with a warmth that could not be mistaken. 

" He is a President for the whole country, 
no mistake about that," said more than one. 

"He makes you feel he is your friend 
the minute you lay eyes on him," would 
put in another. To many in this far comer 
of our country, this visit of the President 
will ever remain as a pleasant memory. 
They could never hope to get to Washing- 
ton, more than three thousand miles away, 
and to have him come out to see them was 
worth remembering. 

The journey eastward was made through 
Montana to Salt Lake City and then to 
Cheyenne, where additional addresses were 
delivered. From the latter point a fast train 
bore him homeward, and by the next Sun- 
day he was back in the White House once 
more, as fresh and hearty as ever, and well 
prepared to undertake whatever important 
work might come to hand. 

And work was there in plenty. Among 
the first things taken up })y the President 
was a scandal in the Post-Office Department. 
Without loss of time President Roosevelt 
ordered Postmaster General Payne to make 



282 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

a thorough investigation, with the result 
that many contracts which were harmful to 
our post-office system were annulled, and 
some wrong-doers were brought to justice. 

Toward the end of July there was con- 
siderable disturbance in the Government 
Printing Office at Washington because a 
certain assistant foreman, who had been 
discharged, was reinstated. All of the 
bookbinders were on the point of striking 
because they did not want the man returned, 
as he did not belong to their union. But 
President Roosevelt was firm in the matter ; 
and in the end the man went back, and there 
was no strike. This affair caused an almost 
endless discussion in labor circles, some 
claiming that the union should have been 
upheld, while others thought differently. 

During the summer, as was his usual 
habit. President Roosevelt, with his family, 
spent part of his time at his country home 
at Oyster Bay. This time the visit to the 
old homestead was of unusual interest, for, 
on August 17, the North Atlantic Fleet of 
the navy visited that vicinity, for review 
and inspection by the President. 

It was a gala occasion, and the fleet pre- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 283 

sented a handsome appearance as it filed 
past and thundered out a Presidential sa- 
lute. Many distinguished guests were pres- 
ent, and all without exception spoke of 
the steady improvement in our navy as a 
whole. President Roosevelt was equally 
enthusiastic, and well he might be, for he 
had used every means in his power to make 
our navy all it should be. 

Late in September President Roosevelt 
returned to Washington, and on October 
15 delivered the principal address at the 
unveiling of a statue of that grand military 
hero. General Sherman. Here once more 
he was listened to with tremendous inter- 
est, delivering a speech that was patriotic 
to the core and full of inspiration. 

For some time past matters in Colombia 
had been in a very mixed-up condition. 
The United States were willing to take 
hold of the Panama Canal, as already men- 
tioned, but although a treaty had been 
made to that effect, the Colombian govern- 
ment would not ratify the agreement. 

On November 3, the trouble in Colom- 
bia reached its culminating point. On that 
day the State of Panama declared itself free 



284 AMERICAN HOYS' LIFE OF 

and independent. The people of that State 
wanted the canal built by the United States, 
and were very angry when the rest of the 
Colombian States would not agree to the 
treaty which had been made. 

At once there were strong rumors of war, 
and a few slight attacks were really made. 
The United States forbade the transportation 
of soldiers on the Panama railroad, and a 
few days later recognized Panama as an in- 
dependent republic. The new republic was 
likewise recognized by France, and, later 
still, by England. On November 9, Pan- 
ama appointed a commission to negotiate a 
canal treaty with our country, and this 
treaty was signed and sealed at Washing- 
ton by Secretary of State Hay, acting for 
the United States, and M. Bimau-Varilla, 
acting for Panama. 

The President's next message to Congress 
went at great length into the question of 
the Panama Canal, and in defence of the 
recognition of the new repu])lic. It also told 
of what the new Department of Commerce 
and Labor had accomplished, especially the 
branch devoted to corporations. 

" We need not be over-sensitive about the 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 285 

welfare of corporations which shrink from 
the hght," wrote Mr. Roosevelt. And in this 
statement every one who had the best in- 
terests of our nation at heart agreed. To 
accomplish great works great corporations 
are often necessary, but they must conduct 
business in such a fashion that they are not 
ashamed to show their methods to the pub- 
lic at large. 

At the opening of the year 1904 there 
were strong rumors of a war between Japan 
and Russia, over the occupation of Korea, 
and this war started early in February by 
a battle on the sea, wherein the Russian 
fleet lost several war-ships. This contest 
was followed by others of more or less im- 
portance, and it looked as if, sooner or 
later, other nations might become involved 
in the struggle. 

" We must keep our hands off," said 
President Roosevelt, and at once issued a 
proclamation, calling on all good citizens 
to remain strictly neutral, and warning 
those who might take part that they could 
hope for no aid from the United States 
should they get into trouble personally or 
have any property confiscated. This proc- 



286 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

lamation was followed by some excellent 
work of our State Department, whereby it 
was agreed among the leading nations that 
the zone of fighting should be a limited one, 
— that is, that neither Japan nor Russia 
should be allowed to carry it beyond a cer- 
tain defined territory. 

For many weeks Congress had debated 
the Panama Canal treaty and the action 
of President Roosevelt regarding the new 
republic of Panama. On February 23, 1904, 
a vote was taken in the Senate, and the 
Panama Canal treaty was ratified in all par- 
ticulars. Without delay some United States 
troops were despatched to Panama, to guard 
the strip of land ten miles wide through 
which the canal is to run, and preparations 
were made to push the work on the water- 
way without further delay. 

On Satiu-day, April 30, the great World's 
Fair at St. Louis was formally opened to the 
public. It had cost over fifty millions of 
dollars and was designed to eclipse any fair 
held in the past. The opening was attended 
by two hundred thousand visitors, all of 
whom were more than pleased with every- 
thing to be seen. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 287 

It had been arrang-ed that President 
Roosevelt should formall}^ open the Exposi- 
tion by means of telegraphic communications 
from the White House to the fair grounds. 
A key of ivory and gold was used for the 
purpose, and as soon as it was touched a 
salute of twenty-one guns roared forth in the 
Exposition's honor. Around the President 
were assembled the members of his Cabinet 
and representatives of many foreign nations. 
Before touching the key which was to set the 
machinery of the wonderful fair in motion, 
President Roosevelt spoke as follows : — 

" I have received from the Exposition 
grounds the statement that the management 
of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition awaits 
the pressing of the button which is to 
transmit the electric energy which is to 
unfurl the flag and start the machinery 
of the Exposition. 

"I wish now to greet all present, and 
especially the representatives of the foreign 
nations here represented, in the name 
of the American people, and to thank 
these representatives for the parts their 
several coimtries have taken in being repre- 
sented in this centennial anniversary of 



288 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

the greatest step in the movement which 
transformed the American Republic from a 
small confederacy of States lying along the 
Atlantic seaboard into a continental nation. 

" This Exposition is one primarily intended 
to show the progress in the industry, the 
science, and the art, not only of the American 
nation, but of all other nations, in the great 
and wonderful century which has just closed. 
Every department of human activity will 
be represented there, and perhaps I may be 
allowed, as honorary president of the athletic 
association which, under European manage- 
ment, started to revive the memory of the 
Olympic games, to say that I am glad that, 
in addition to paying proper heed to the 
progress of industry, of science, of art, we 
have also paid proper heed to the develop- 
ment of the athletic pastimes which are 
useful in themselves as showing that it is 
wise for nations to be able to relax. 

"I greet you all. I appreciate your 
having come here on this occasion, and in 
the presence of you, representing the Amer- 
ican government and the governments of 
the foreign nations, I here open the Louisi- 
ana Exposition." 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 289 



CHAPTER XXX 

Personal Characteristics oe Theodore Roosevelt 
— The President's Family — Life at the White 
House — Our Country and its Future 

In reading over the foregoing pages the 
question may occur to some of my young 
readers, How is it possible for President 
Roosevelt to accomplish so much and still 
have time in Avhich to occasionally enjoy 
himself by travelling or by going on a 
hunting tour ? 

The answer is a very simple one. Mr. 
Roosevelt works systematically, as do all 
who want their labor to amount to some- 
thing. Years ago, when he was physically 
weak, he determined to make himself strong. 
He persisted in vigorous exercise, especially 
in the open air, and in the end attained a 
bodily health which any ordinary man may 
well envy. 

The President does each day's work as 
it comes before him. He does not borrow 
trouble or cross a bridge before he comes 



290 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

to it. Whatever there is to do he does to 
the very best of his ability, and he allows 
future complications to take care of them- 
selves. If a mistake is made, he does not 
worry continually over it, but keeps it in 
mind, so that a like mistake shall not occur 
again. When once his hand is on the 
plough, he does not believe in turning back. 
He has unlimited faith in the future of our 
glorious country, and a like faith in the 
honor and courage of his fellow-citizens. 

Any man to be an intelligent worker 
cannot be dissipated, and the President is 
a good illustration of this. He has a good 
appetite, but eats moderately, and does not 
depend upon stimulants or tobacco to " brace 
him up " when the work is extra heavy. 
He goes out nearly every day for a walk, 
a ride on horseback, or a drive with some 
members of his family, and as a result of 
this, when night comes, sleeps soundly and 
arises the next morning as bright and fresh 
as ever. 

This is the first time that a President 
with a large family has occupied the White 
House. Other Presidents have had a few 
children, but Mr. Roosevelt took possession 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 291 

with six, a hearty, romping crowd, the 
younger members of which thought it great 
fun to explore the executive mansion when 
first they moved in. The President loves 
his children dearly, and is not above " play- 
ing bear " with the little ones when time 
permits and they want some fun. 

Of Mrs. Roosevelt it can truthfully be 
said that she makes a splendid " first lady 
in the land." She takes a great interest in 
all social functions, and an equal interest in 
what is best for her boys and girls and their 
friends. She is very charitable, and each 
year contributes liberally to hundreds of 
bazaars and fairs held throughout our 
country. 

The oldest child of the President is Miss 
Alice Lee Roosevelt, named after her mother, 
the first wife of the Chief Magistrate. Al- 
though but a step-daughter to the present 
Mrs. Roosevelt, the two are as intimate and 
loving as if of the same flesh and blood. 
Miss Roosevelt has already made her debut 
in Washington society, and assisted at sev- 
eral gatherings at the White House. 

All of the other children were born after 
Mr. Roosevelt's second marriage. His oldest 



292 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

son is Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., commonly 
called by his chums, Teddy, Jr. He is a 
lad of sixteen, bright and clever, and has 
been attending a college preparatory school 
at Groton, Massachusetts, as already men- 
tioned. He loves outdoor games, and is said 
to possess many tastes in common with his 
father. 

The other members of the family are, 
Kermit, fourteen, Ethel Carew, twelve, 
Archibald Bullock, nine, and a lively little 
boy named Quentin, who is six. 

Some time ago a distinguished member 
of the English Educational Commission vis- 
ited this country and made an inspection of 
our school system. When asked what had 
impressed him most deeply, he answered : — 

" The children of the President of the 
United States sitting side by side with the 
children of yom' workingmen in the public 
schools." 

This simple little speech speaks volumes 
for the good, hard common sense of our 
President. He believes thoroughly^ in our 
public institutions, and knows the real 
value of sending out his boys to fight 
their own battles in the world at large. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 293 

He does not believe in pampering children, 
but in making them self-reliant. All love 
to go out with him, and when at Oyster 
Bay he frequently takes the boys and their 
cousins for a day's tramp through the woods 
or along the beach, or else for a good hard 
row on the bay. The President prefers 
rowing to sailing, and frequently rows for 
several miles at a stretch. His enjoyment 
of bathing is as great as ever, and his boys 
love to go into the water with him. 

Christmas time at the White House is 
just as full of joy there as it is anywhere. 
The younger children hang up their stock- 
ings, and scream with delight over every 
new toy received. For some days previous 
to Christmas one of the rooms is turned into 
a storeroom, and to this only Mrs. Roose- 
velt and one of the maids hold the key. 
Presents come in from everywhere, includ- 
ing many for the President, for his friends 
far and near insist upon remembering him. 
These presents are arranged on a large oval 
table near one of the broad wmdows, and 
on Christmas morning the distribution 
begins. 

The President, in his trips to the woods, 



294 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

has seen the great harm done by cutting 
down promising evergreens, so he does not 
believe very much in having a Christmas 
tree. But a year ago a great sui'prise 
awaited him. 

" I'm going to fix up a tree," said little 
Archie, and managed to smuggle a small 
evergreen into the house and place it in a 
large closet that was not being used. Here 
he and his younger brother Quentin worked 
for several days in arranging the tree just 
to suit them. On Christmas morning, 
after the presents were given out, both 
asked their father to come to where the 
closet was located. 

"What is up now?" asked Mr. Roose- 
velt, curiously. 

" Come and see ! " they shouted. And he 
went, followed by all the others of the 
family. Then the closet door was thrown 
open, and there stood the tree, blazing with 
lights. It was certainly a great surprise, 
and Mr. Roosevelt enjoyed it as much as 
anybody. 

The children of Washington, and espe- 
cially those whose fathers occupy public 
positions, always look forward with antici- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 295 

pations of great pleasure to the children's 
parties given by Mrs. Roosevelt, and these 
parties are of equal interest to those living 
at the mansion. 

Such a party was given during the last 
holidays, and was attended by several hun- 
dred children, all of whom, of course, came 
arrayed in their best. They were received 
by Mrs. Roosevelt, who had a hand-shake 
and a kind word for each, and then some 
of the Cabinet ladies, who were assisting, 
gave to each visitor a button, set in ribbon 
and tinsel and inscribed " Merry Christmas 
and Happy New Year." 

The big main dining-room of the White 
House had been prepared for the occasion. 
There was a Christmas tree at one side of 
the room, and the table was filled with 
fruit, cake, and candy. The President 
came in and helped to pass the ice-cream 
and cake, and Theodore, Jr. and some of 
the others passed the candy and other 
good things. 

After this the visitors were asked to go 
to the East Room and dance. The Marine 
Band furnished the music, and while the 
children were dancing, the President came 



296 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

in to look at them. The entertainment 
lasted until the end of the afternoon, and 
when the visitors departed, President Roose- 
velt was at the door to shake hands and bid 
them good-by. 

And here let us bid good-by ourselves, 
wishing Theodore Roosevelt and his family 
well. What the future holds in store for 
our President no man can tell. That he 
richly deserves the honors that have come 
to him, is beyond question. He has done 
his best to place and keep our United 
States in the front rank of the nations of 
the world. Under him, as under President 
McKinley, progress has been remarkably 
rapid. In the uttermost parts of the world 
our Flag is respected as it was never re- 
spected before. Perhaps some few mis- 
takes have been made, but on the whole 
our advancement has been justified, and is 
eminently satisfactory. The future is large 
with possibilities, and it remains for the 
generation I am addressing to rise up and 
embrace those opportunities and make the 
most of them. 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 297 



APPENDIX A 

BRIEF EXTRACTS FROxM FAMOUS ADDRESSES 
DELIVERED BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT 

" If we are to be a really great people, we must 
strive in good faith to play a great part in the 
world. We cannot avoid meeting great issues. All 
that we can determine for ourselves is whether we 
shall meet them well or ill." 

'' All honor must be paid to the architects of our 
material prosperity ; to the captains of industry 
who have built our factories and our railroads ; to 
the strong men who toil for wealth with brain or 
hand ; for great is the debt of the nation to these 
and their kind. But our debt is still greater to the 
men whose highest type is to be found in a states- 
man like Lincoln, a soldier like Grant." 

" A man's first duty is to his own home, but he 
is not thereby excused from doing his duty to the 
state ; for if he fails in this second duty it is under 
the penalty of ceasing to be a freeman." 

— Extracts from " The Strenuous Life.'''' 

" Is America a weakling to shrink from the work 
that must be done by the world's powers ? No ! 
The young giant of the West stands on a continent 
and clasps the crest of an ocean in either hand. 
Our nation, glorious in youth and strength, looks 



298 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

into the future with eager and fearless eyes, and 
rejoices, as a strong man to run the race." 

— Extract from Speech seconding the Nomination of 
William McKinley for President. 

"Poverty is a bitter thing, bnt it is not as bitter 
as the existence of restless vacuity and physical, 
moral, and intellectual flabbiness to which those 
doom themselves who elect to spend all their years 
in that vainest of all vain pursuits, the pursuit of 
mere pleasure." 

" Our interests are at bottom common ; in the 
long run we go up or go down together." 

" The first essential of civilization is law. Anar- 
chy is simply the hand-maiden and forerunner of 
tyranny and despotism. Law and order, enforced 
by justice and by strength, lie at the foundation of 
civilization." 

— Extracts from a Speech delivered at Minneapolis, 
Minnesota, September 2, 1901. 

" We hold work, not as a curse, but as a blessing, 
and we regard the idler with scornful pity." 

" Each man must choose, so far as the conditions 
allow him, the path to which he is bidden by his 
own peculiar powers and inclinations. But if he is 
a man, he must in some way or shape do a man's 
work." 

" It is not given to us all to succeed, but it is 
given to us all to strive manfully to deserve success." 

"We cannot retain the full measure of our self- 
respect if we do not retain pride in our citizenship." 

— Extracts from an Address on '^Manhood and State- 
hood.''^ 



THEODOIiE ROOSEVELT 299 

"The true welfare of the nation is indissolubly 
bound up in the welfare of the farmer and wage- 
worker ; of the man who tills the soil, and of the 
mechanic, the handicraftsman, and the laborer. 
The poorest motto upon which an American can act 
is the motto of ' some men down,' and the safest to 
follow is that of ' all men up.' " 

— Extract from Speech delivered at the Dedication of the 
Pan-American Fair Buildings. 

" The men we need are the men of strong, ear- 
nest, solid character — the men who possess the 
homely virtues, and who to these virtues add rug- 
ged courage, rugged honesty, and high resolve." 

— Extract from Speech delivered upon the Life of General 
Grant. 



300 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



APPENDIX B 

LIST OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT'S WRITINGS 
Books : 

The Naval War of 1812, 2 volumes. (1882.) 
The Winning of the West, 6 volumes. (1889- 

1896.) 
Hunting Trips of a Eanchman. (1885.) 
Hunting Trips on the Prairie. (Companion 

volume to that above. 1885.) 
The Wilderness Hunter. (1893.) 
Hunting the Grisly. (Companion volume to 

that above. 1893.) 
The Eough Pdders. (1899.) 
Life of Oliver Cromwell. (1900.) 
The Strenuous Life — Essays and Addresses. 

(1900.) 
American Ideals. (1897.) 
Administration — Civil Service. (1898.) 
Life of Thomas Hart Benton. (1887.) 
New York. (Historic Towns Series. 1891.) 
Life of Gouverneur Morris. (1888.) 
Kanch Life and the Hunting Trail. (1888.) 
Essays on Practical Politics. (1888.) 

Written by Theodore Eoosevelt and Henry 
Cabot Lodge : 
Hero Tales from American History. (1895.) 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 30l 

Written by Theodore Eoosevelt and G. B. 
Grinnell : 
Trail and Camp Fire. (1896.) 
Hunting in Many Lands. (1896.) 

Principal Magazine Articles : 

Admiral Dewey. (McClure's Magazine.) 
Military Preparedness and Unpreparedness. 

(Century Magazine.) 
Mad Anthony Wayne's Victory. (Harper's 

Magazine.) 
St. Clair's Defeat. (Harper's Magazine.) 
Fights between Iron Clads. (Century Maga- 
zine.) 
Need of a New Navy. (Keview of Keviews.) 



302 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 



APPENDIX C 

CHRONOLOGY OF THE LIFE OF THEODORE 
ROOSEVELT FROM 1858 TO 1904 

1858. October 27. Theodore Roosevelt born in 
New York City, son of Theodore Roose- 
velt and Martha (Bullock) Roosevelt. 

1864. Sent to public school, and also received some 
private instruction ; spent summers at 
Oyster Bay, New York. 

1873. Became a member of the Dutch Reformed 
Church ; has been a member ever since. 

1876. September. Entered Harvard College. 
Member of numerous clubs and societies. 

1878. February 9. Death of Theodore Roose- 
velt, Sr. 

1880. June. Graduated from Harvard College; 

a Phi Beta Kappa man. 
September 23. Married Miss Alice Lee, of 

Boston, Massachusetts. 
Travelled extensively in Europe ; climbed 

the Alps ; made a member of the Alpine 

Club of London. 

1881. Elected a member of the New York Assembly, 

and served for three terms in succession. 
1884. Birth of daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt. 

Death of Mrs. Alice (Lee) Roosevelt, Mr. 
Roosevelt's first wife. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 303 

Death of Mrs. Martha (Bullock) Eoosevelt, 
Mr. Roosevelt's mother. 

Made Delegate-at-large to the Eepublican 
National Conveutiou that nominated 
James G. Blaine for President. 

1885. Became a ranchman and hunter. 

1886. Ran for office of mayor of New York 

City, and was defeated by Abram 

Hewitt. 
Spent additional time in hunting. 
December 2. Married Edith Kermit Carew, 

of jSTew York City. 

1888. Birth of son, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. 
September. Grand hunt in the Selkirk 

Mountains. 

1889. May. Appointed by President Harrison a 

member of the Civil Service Commission ; 
served for six years, four under President 
Harrison and two under President Cleve- 
land. 

1890. Birth of son, Kermit Roosevelt. 

1891. September. Grand hunt at Two-Ocean 

Pass, Wyoming. 

1892. Birth of daughter, Ethel Carew Roosevelt. 
1895. ]\ray 24. Appointed Police Commissioner 

of New York City by Mayor William 
Strong. Served until April, 1897. 
Birth of son, Archibald Bullock Roosevelt. 

1897. April. Made First Assistant Secretary of 

the Navy, under Secretary Long and 
President McKinley, 
Birth of son, Quentin Roosevelt. 

1898. April 25. Congress declared war with 



304 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

Spain, Eoosevelt resigned his position 

in tlie Navy Department. 
May. Helped to organize the Rough Riders, 

and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, 

May 6. 
May 29. The Rough Riders left San Anto- 
nio, Texas, for Tampa, Florida. 
June 2. In camp at Tampa. 
June 7. Move by coal cars to Port Tampa; 

four companies left behind; board trans- 
port Yucatan. 
June 13. Start for Cuba, without horses. 
June 22. Landing of the Rough Riders at 

Daiquiri. 
June 23. March to Siboney. 
June 24. Advance to La Guasima (Las 

Guasimas). First fight with the Spanish 

troops. 
July 1. Battles of San Juan and El Caney. 

Roosevelt leads the Rough Riders up San 

Juan Hill. 
July 2. Fighting in the trenches by the 

Rough Riders, Roosevelt in command. 
July 3. Sinking of the Spanish fleet off 

Santiago Bay. 
July 8. Roosevelt made Colonel of the 

Rough Riders. 
August 7. Departure of the Rough Riders 

from Cuba. 
August 9. Spain accepts terms of peace 

offered by the United States. 
August 16. Arrival of the Rough Riders 

at Montauk, Long Island. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 305 

September 15. Mustering out of the Eough 
Riders. 

September 27. Nominated by the Republi- 
can party for governor of New York. 

October. Grand campaigning tour through 
the Empire State. 

November. Elected governor of New York 
by seventeen thousand plurality. 

1899. January 1. Assumed olfice as governor of 

New York. 

April 10. Delivered famous address on 
'' The Strenuous Life," at Chicago. 

September 29 and 30. Governor appointed 
these days as holidays in honor of a re- 
ception to Admiral Dewey; grand water 
and land processions. 

1900. June 19. Republican Convention met at 

Philadelphia; Roosevelt seconded the 
nomination of McKinley for President 
(second term), and was nominated for the 
Vice-Presidency. 

July, August, and September. Governor 
Roosevelt travelled 20,000 miles, deliver- 
ing 673 political speeches at nearly 600 
cities and towns. 

November 6. McKinley and Roosevelt car- 
ried 28 states, Democratic opponents car- 
ried 17 states; Republican electoral votes, 
292, Democratic and scattering combined, 
155. 

December. Presided over one short session 
of the United States Senate, 

1901. January 11. Started on a five weeks' hunt- 



306 AMERICAN BOYH,' LIFE OF 

ing tour in Xorthwest Colorado; bringing 
down many cougars. 

April. Attended the dedication of the 
Pan-American Exposition buildings at 
Buffalo, New York, and delivered an 
address. 

September 6. Eeceived word, while at Isle la 
Motte, Vermont, that President McKinley 
had been shot; hurried at once to Buffalo; 
assured that the President would recover, 
joined his family in the Adirondacks. 

September 14. Death of President McKinley. 
Roosevelt returned to Buffalo; took the 
oath of office as President of the United 
States at the house of Ansley Wilcox; 
retained the IVIcKinley Cabinet. 

September 15 to 19. Puneral of President 
McKinley, at Buffalo, Washington, and 
Canton, Ohio. President Roosevelt at- 
tended. 

September 20. First regular working day 
of President Roosevelt at the White 
House. 

December 3. First annual message delivered 
to Congress. 

December 4. Senate received Hay-Paunce- 
fote canal treaty from the President. 

December 17. First break in the McKinley 
Cabinet. Postmaster General Smith re- 
signed; was succeeded by H. C. Payne. 
1902. January 3. Grand ball at the White House, 
Miss Alice Roosevelt formally presented 
to Washington society. 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 307 

January 6. Secretary Gage of the Treasury 
resigned ; was succeeded by Ex-Governor 
Leslie M. Shaw, of Iowa. 

January 20. The President transmitted to 
Congress report of Canal Commission, 
recommending buying of rights for 
^40,000,000. 

February 10. Serious sickness of Theo- 
dore Roosevelt, Jr. President in attend- 
ance at Groton, Massachusetts, several 
days. 

February 24. Recej^tion to Prince Henry 
of Prussia. 

February 25. Launching of German Em- 
peror's yacht, Avhich was christened by 
Miss Alice Roosevelt. 

March 7. President signed a bill creating a 
permanent pension bureau. 

May 12. Beginning of the great coal strike ; 
largest in the history of the United 
States. 

May 21. President unveiled a monument 
at Arlington Cemetery, erected in memory 
of those who fell in the Spanish-American 
War. 

June 9. President reviewed West Point 
cadets at the centennial celebration of 
that institution. 

July 4. Addressed a great gathering at 
Pittsburg. 

July 5. Removed his business offices to 
Oyster Bay for the summer. 

August 11. Retirement of Justice Gray 



308 AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE OF 

of the Supreme Court; the President 
named Oliver Wendell Holmes as liis 
successor. 

August 22. The President began a twelve 
days' tour of New England. 

September 3. Narrow escape from death 
near Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Trolley 
car ran down carriage, killing Secret 
Service attendant. 

September 6 and 7. President visited 
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and delivered 
addresses. 

October 3. President called conference at 
Washington concerning coal strike. 

October 21. As a result of several meet- 
ings between the President, the mine 
operators, and the mine workers the 
miners resumed work, and a commission 
was appointed by the President to adjust 
matters in dispute. 

November 19. Grand reception to tbe Presi- 
dent at Memphis, Tennessee. 

December 2. President's message to Con- 
gress was read by both branches. 
1903. January 15. President signed the free coal 
bill passed by Congress. 

January 21. President signed the bill for 
the reorganization of the military system. 

March 5. Special session of Congress called 
by the President to consider Cuban reci- 
procity bill and Panama Canal treaty with 
Colombia. 

March 12. President appointed a Commis- 



THEODORE ROOSEVELT 309 

sion to report on organization, needs, and 
conditions of government work. 

March 18. President received report of 
Coal Commission. 

April 2. President received degree of LL.D. 
from the University of Chicago. Begin- 
ning of long trip to the west. 

April 4. President addressed Minnesota 
legislature at St. Paul. 

April 30. President delivered address at 
dedication of buildings of the Louisiana 
Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis. 

June 6. President ordered an investigation 
into the Post-office Department scandals. 

July 4. First message around the world, 
via new Pacific cable, received by Presi- 
dent at Oyster Bay. 

July 23. The President refused to consider 
charges made by a bookbinders' union 
against a workman in the Government 
Printing Office, thereby declaring for an 
"open" shop. 

August 17. Grand naval review by the 
President, on Long Island Sound, near 
Oyster Bay. 

September 17. President delivered an ad- 
dress at the dedication of a monument to 
New Jersey soldiers, on the battle-field of 
Antietam. 

October 15. President delivered an address 
at unveiling of statue to General Sher- 
man, at Washington. 

October 20. President called extra session 



310 AMERICAN boys' LIFE OF 

of Congress to consider a commercial 
treaty with Cuba. 

November 3. Panama proclaimed inde- 
pendent of Colombia. 

November 6. The United States govern- 
ment formally recognized the indepen- 
dence of the state of Panama. 

November 10. Opening of extra session of 
Congress called by President to consider 
commercial treaty with Cuba. 

November 18. A new canal treaty was 
formally signed at Washington by Secre- 
tary Hay, of the United States, and M. 
Bunau-Varilla, acting for Panama. 

December 2. The canal treaty was ratified 
at Panama. 

December 7. The President sent regular 
message to Congress especially defending 
the administration policy regarding Pan- 
ama and the canal. 
1904. January 4. The President sent a special 
message to Congress regarding the rec- 
ognition of the new republic of Panama, 
This was followed for weeks by debates, 
for and against the action of the adminis- 
tration. 

February. War broke out between Japan 
and Russia; the President issued a proc- 
lamation declaring the neutrality of the 
United States. 

February 22. The President and family 
assisted at a Washington's Birthday tree- 
planting at the White House grounds. 



THEODORE BOOSEVELT 311 

February 23. The United States ratified 
all the provisions of the Panama Canal 
treaty; preparations were made, under 
the directions of the President, to begin 
work without delay. 

April 30. President, at Washington, de- 
livered address and pressed telegraphic 
key opening World's Fair at St. Louis. 



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There are many side 
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riences, one of which gives name to the book. Just the 
book boys and young men should read, in view of the 
general interest in matters Pan-American. 

Its pictures of South American life and scenery are novel and instruc- 
tive. — The Literary Worhi^ Boston. 

The scenes described are of the sort to charm the hearts of adventur- 
ous boys. — The Outlook, N. Y. 

VOLUME TWO 

THE YOUNG VOLCANO EXPLORERS 

Or American Boys in the West Indies 

12mo Cloth Illustrated Price $1.25 

THIS is a complete tale in itself, but has the same 
characters which have appeared so successfully in 
" Lost on the Orinoco." The boys, with their tutor, sail 
from Venezuela to the West Indies, stopping at Jamaica, 
Cuba, Hayti, and Porto Rico. They have numerous ad- 
ventures on the way, and then set out for St. Pierre, Mar- 
tinique, where they encounter the effects of the eruption 
of Mt. Pelee, and two of the boys are left on a raft to shift 
for themselves. Life in the West Indies is well portrayed, 
and the tale will appeal to many an older person as well 
as to the boys. 



